Ukraine-Russia warfare newest: Russian oil depot set ablaze after ‘massive drone attack’ by Kyiv

Zelensky says Ukraine could temporarily cede territory in exchange for Nato membership

A major Russian oil depot has been set ablaze after Ukrainian troops launched a “massive drone attack” over 100 miles inside Russian territory.

The Stalnoy Kon oil refinery, part of Vladimir Putin’s “military industrial complex” that supplies Russian troops, was struck overnight, Kyiv’s chief of staff said.

The Russian governor of Oryol said on Telegram that fuel had caught fire at “a facility” in the region after the “massive drone attack”.

Russian media reported images, purportedly of the attack, showing clouds of smoke billowing up into the night sky from a fire.

It comes after Poland was forced to scramble fighter jets to “ensure the security of Polish airspace” after Russia launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine.

The Polish military said ground-based air defences and radar reconnaissance systems reached the highest state of readiness during the attack overnight yesterday.

Meanwhile, Russia fired 93 missiles and almost 200 drones at Ukraine, with Volodymyr Zelensky describing it as one of the heaviest bombardments on the country’s energy sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

How can Putin be defeated? Assad’s fall provides lesson for West

The fall of the Assad regime in Syria has led to questions over Russia’s ability to sustain its military adventures abroad. Russia had supported Assad militarily for over a decade, building on longstanding ties between Moscow and Damascus.

But the rapid advance of anti-government forces this month saw Russia apparently powerless to influence the situation beyond a number of airstrikes (as always, apparently mostly delivered on civilian targets) in support of government forces.

That has inevitably led people to draw conclusions about Russia’s ability to project power overseas, and what it may mean for the course of the war in Ukraine.

Alexander Butler14 December 2024 17:00

Russian oil depot set ablaze after ‘massive drone attack’ by Kyiv

A major Russian oil depot has been set ablaze after Ukrainian troops launched a “massive drone attack” over 100 miles inside Russian territory.

The Stalnoy Kon oil refinery, part of Vladimir Putin’s “military industrial complex” that supplies Russian troops, was struck overnight, Kyiv’s chief of staff said.

The Russian governor of Oryol said on Telegram that fuel had caught fire at “a facility” in the region after the “massive drone attack”.

Russian media reported images, purportedly of the attack, showing clouds of smoke billowing up into the night sky from a fire.

Alexander Butler14 December 2024 16:48

Full story: British ex paratrooper unlawfully killed in Ukraine by someone claiming to be his friend, coroner finds

A British former paratrooper who traveled to fight in Ukraine and whose body was later found miles from the frontline was “unlawfully killed” by someone claiming to be his friend, a court has concluded.

The body of Daniel Burke, 36, from Wythenshawe in Manchester, was found last September some 27 miles from the frontline in Zaporizhzhia, eastern Ukraine, after being reported missing in August. Mr Burke had traveled there to help fight against the full-scale Russian invasion.

An inquest at Manchester City Coroner’s Office has now concluded that his killer was somebody purporting to be his friend and believed to be fighting on the same side.

Alexander Butler14 December 2024 16:00

AP photos from Ukraine in 2024 convey wartime horror and hope

Alexander Butler14 December 2024 15:00

The Russian glide bombs changing the face of the war in Ukraine

The Russian glide bombs changing the face of the war in Ukraine

Winged explosives weighing up to 1,500 kilograms – and nicknamed the ‘building destroyer’ – have had a devastating impact wherever they have been used, writes Tom Watling. Kyiv is battling them as best it can but needs Western allies to step up and provide more weapons, air defences and ammunition

Alexander Butler14 December 2024 14:00

Where Putin’s forces are making gains in eastern Ukraine

Alexander Butler14 December 2024 13:00

What will it cost to defend Britain from a growing Russian threat?

Alexander Butler14 December 2024 12:00

Recap: Watch as Zelensky says Ukraine could temporarily cede territory in exchange for Nato membership

Zelensky says Ukraine could temporarily cede territory in exchange for Nato membership
Tara Cobham14 December 2024 11:00

Full story: British ex paratrooper unlawfully killed in Ukraine by someone claiming to be his friend, coroner finds

A British former paratrooper who traveled to fight in Ukraine and whose body was later found miles from the frontline was “unlawfully killed” by someone claiming to be his friend, a court has concluded.

The body of Daniel Burke, 36, from Wythenshawe in Manchester, was found last September some 27 miles from the frontline in Zaporizhzhia, eastern Ukraine, after being reported missing in August. Mr Burke had traveled there to help fight against the full-scale Russian invasion.

An inquest at Manchester City Coroner’s Office has now concluded that his killer was somebody purporting to be his friend and believed to be fighting on the same side.

My colleague Tom Watling has the full story:

Tara Cobham14 December 2024 10:00

Child killed in Ukrainian drone attack in Russia, says Russian governor

A nine-year-old child was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Belgorod region on Saturday, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.

Two other people, including another child, were injured in the attack, the Russian official said on the Telegram messaging app.

Tara Cobham14 December 2024 09:24

Source: independent.co.uk