War in Ukraine: 50 Russian drones shot down and attack on a refinery, Moscow says it controls Velika Novossilka… update on the situation

Ukraine announces it has shot down 50 Russian drones and attacked a refinery

Ukrainian air defenses shot down 50 drones out of 72 launched by Russia overnight and attacked one of Russia’s largest oil refineries, the Ukrainian military said on Sunday. Military and civilian authorities did not immediately report casualties or damage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia used 1,250 aerial bombs, more than 750 attack drones and more than 20 missiles to attack Ukraine over the past week.

“Only determination can stop such terrorists. We are constantly working with our partners to strengthen our defense capabilities and reduce Russia’s ability to terrorize Ukraine.”he said on Telegram messaging. “Long-range capabilities are crucial. Sanctions are essential. It is important to bring down the price of oil. The main thing is to act in unity and protect lives with determination”and Volodymyr Zelensky added.

kyiv’s General Staff said on Sunday that its forces again attacked Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery last night and that explosions and fires were reported in the targeted area. “Ryazan Oil Refinery is one of the four largest refineries in the Russian Federation”the army said on Telegram. The Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday that its air defense systems destroyed 15 Ukrainian drones over Russia and two maritime drones in the Black Sea.

Eight drones were shot down over the Ryazan region, six in the Kursk region and one over the Belgorod region overnight. Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov said on Sunday that the latest drone attacks did not cause any casualties, but that authorities were still assessing the damage.

Lukashenko has ‘no regrets’ for letting Russia use Belarus

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Sunday that he did not “no regrets” for allowing Belarusian territory to serve as a rear base for Russian forces in February 2022 to invade Ukraine.

The Belarusian president, asked by AFP if he regretted it given the scale of the results of the offensive launched almost three years ago, replied: “I don’t regret anything”.

Moscow says it controls Velika Novosilka in eastern Ukraine

Russia said on Sunday it had taken control of the town of Velika Novosilka in eastern Ukraine.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced that the soldiers had carried out “actions offensives” et “liberate the locality of Velika Novossilka”which is located in the west of the Donetsk region.