Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Facilities as EU Prepares New Sanctions Package

KYIV: Ukrainian forces carried out strikes on oil-related facilities in both Russia and Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, according to Ukrainian and Russian officials, as Kyiv continues efforts to impose economic costs on Moscow over its ongoing military campaign.

The attacks formed part of Ukraine’s broader strategy of targeting infrastructure linked to Russia’s energy sector, a key source of revenue supporting the war effort.

In a separate development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Russian-born businessman Roman Abramovich served as an intermediary between Kyiv and Moscow during the conflict.

Speaking to Sky News, Zelenskyy said Abramovich traveled to Kyiv carrying a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, conveying that Russia wanted to understand Ukraine’s position and what concessions it might be prepared to make. According to Zelenskyy, Abramovich also offered to deliver Kyiv’s response back to Moscow.

Meanwhile, the European Union is preparing a new package of sanctions against Russia. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the proposed measures include around 80 new listings targeting entities linked to Russia’s military-industrial sector, alleged human rights violators, and pro-Kremlin propagandists.

Kallas told reporters after a meeting of EU defense ministers that Western sanctions have already imposed substantial economic costs on Russia, estimating their impact at between $1.2 trillion and $1.5 trillion.

On the battlefield, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that its air defenses intercepted or destroyed 310 Ukrainian drones overnight, including drones targeting the Moscow region, western and southwestern Russia, Russian-occupied Crimea, and areas over the Black Sea and Azov Sea.

Ukraine’s Air Force, meanwhile, said Russia launched 155 drones against Ukrainian territory during the same period. According to Ukrainian officials, air defense systems successfully shot down or electronically suppressed 124 of those drones.

The latest exchanges underscore the continuing intensity of the conflict, with both sides increasingly relying on long-range drone operations while diplomatic efforts and economic pressure campaigns continue alongside military actions.