Ukraine hits two Russian oil refineries as deadly Russian strikes continue overnight

Russian forces launched another wave of overnight attacks on Ukraine, killing at least six people and wounding 36 others. The strikes targeted the eastern city of Balakliia and the northern Sumy region, according to initial reports.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine's military had struck two Russian oil refineries in targeted operations. The Bashneft-Novoil refinery in Bashkortostan was hit more than 1,300 kilometres from the frontline, while the Slavneft-YANOS refinery in the Yaroslavl region lies nearly 700 kilometres from Ukraine's border. Zelenskyy said the attacks cut into Russia's oil revenues, which Moscow uses to fund the war and the killing of Ukrainians. "Russia must choose peace," he said.

The strikes come amid growing Ukrainian concern over a shortage of air-defence missiles. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, after speaking with Zelenskyy on Wednesday night, pledged to "urgently" address the issue. Later this month, US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to make their first trip to Kyiv for direct talks with Zelenskyy. The possible US licensing of Patriot missile production in Ukraine is likely to be on the agenda.

Reuters reported that Ukraine could benefit from Lockheed Martin's project to develop a lower-cost Patriot interceptor, known as PAC-3 ACE. Despite doubts cast by Donald Trump on a deal, no order to halt discussions has been given, and talks are continuing with US arms manufacturers and military officials. Ukraine has shown it can produce large numbers of cheaper and equally or more effective missiles and drones than its Western allies.

The UK expanded its Russia sanctions regime with 13 new designations and six new specifications. The measures include asset freezes, director disqualifications, transport restrictions, and shipping and trade sanctions, targeting banks, resource exploration companies, tankers, and aircraft maintenance firms.

In Russia, the head of a leading drone manufacturer, Vladimir Tkachuk, was critically injured in a car bomb near Yekaterinburg. Tkachuk founded Uraldronzavod, which makes the Upyr "Ghoul" FPV kamikaze drone using 3D printing; the drone is widely used by Russian forces. His bodyguard was killed in the explosion. Tkachuk, who hosted Vladimir Putin during a 2024 factory visit, also runs a pro-war Telegram channel with more than 500,000 followers. Russia is likely to blame Ukraine for the attack, which came days after a Moscow restaurant explosion killed five people.

Meanwhile, several countries in central and south-eastern Europe remained on red alert for extreme heat. Austria and Slovakia recorded all-time high temperatures on Wednesday, with more scorching weather expected on Thursday, including in Italy.