Newest Processing Facility Strike Shows 'Absolutely No Secure Locations in the Russian Far Hinterland'
Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have targeted Russia's Bashneft refinery in Ufa, located around 1,400 km from Ukraine, causing explosions and a blaze, per a source in the Ukrainian Security Service.
This marks the third Ukrainian security service far-reaching assault in Bashkortostan in the past month. Such operations demonstrate that there are no protected areas in the far hinterland of the Russian state.
Ukrainian President Calls On US President to Mediate Ceasefire in Ukraine
President Zelenskyy appealed to Donald Trump to mediate a ceasefire in the Ukrainian conflict over a phone call on the weekend.
"When a hostilities can be halted in one region, then certainly additional conflicts can be stopped as well, encompassing the Russian aggression," the President said, commending Trump's "outstanding" Middle East peace initiative and requesting the President to compel the Moscow into negotiations.
Moscow's Attacks Claim Lives in the Country
Strikes by Russia on Ukraine killed at least five people on Saturday and disrupted electricity to areas of the southern Odesa area, according to local sources.
Two people died within a church in Kostyantynivka when it was struck, as reported by regional officials.
In Russia's border region of Belgorod, a truck driver was fatally wounded by a attack from Ukraine, per municipal sources.
Power Repair Work in the Capital
Work proceeded on Saturday to repair energy infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital, after assaults.
Power had been restored to in excess of 800,000 citizens by Saturday and the major utility provider said the primary operations to restore power was complete though some outages continued.
Anti-Aircraft Actions and UAV Downings
The Ukrainian air defences downed or disrupted 54 out of 78 total Russian drones sent against the country during the night, the military said on Saturday.
The Russian military authorities claimed it intercepted forty-two Ukrainian drones over Russian territory.
Cuba Denies Claims of Deploying Troops to Ukraine
Cuba on the weekend rejected US claims it has deployed soldiers to fight in the hostilities, while stating Cuban authorities "are without precise information about individuals" involved "voluntarily" or "within the troops of both sides".
The ministry in Havana announced 26 Cubans had been given prison terms to incarceration from five to 14 years for mercenary involvement since September 2023 when information spread of Cuban nationals being sent to the battlefield in the conflict.
Surrender Initiative Project Discloses Information on Cuban National Enlistment
The surrender initiative, a state program that urges opposing fighters to surrender, stated in May: "Our information indicates the identities and information of 1,028 Cubans who entered into agreements with the Russian military in 2023-2024."
The Cuban foreign ministry said of those who might be engaged: "Undeniably that none of them have the encouragement, dedication, or authorization of the Cuban state for their involvement."
Relatives of individuals who traveled to the Russian Federation in 2023 told Agence France-Presse at the time that their family members had been deceptively recruited through promotions on social media.