In a new blow to the Kremlin's narrative that Moscow is winning the 4-year-old war in Ukraine, Kyiv's forces have targeted fuel supplies to the Crimean Peninsula. That has triggered the worst fuel crisis on the Black Sea peninsula since it was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. The persistent attacks reflect Ukraine's growing ability to carry out drone strikes and have caught Russia off guard and struggling for a response. The gas shortages are threatening to cause further disruptions to the tourism-dependent region, just as the summer holiday season is getting underway. Ukraine's successes have highlighted its ability to inflict painful damage on Russia and change the course of the war.

A series of long-range Ukrainian attacks hit targets deep inside Russia, part of Kyiv's efforts to raise the costs of the war for the Kremlin by striking energy facilities and military industries. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces struck several military and energy infrastructure sites on Wednesday, including a military factory in the city of Cheboksary, that he said supplied components for Russian drones and missiles. Zelenskyy also said a refinery in Russia's Samara region and two oil infrastructure facilities in the Vladimir region had been targeted. The increasingly deep and audacious Ukrainian strikes have cast a challenge to Russia's President Vladimir Putin, defying his claim that Moscow was winning the war now in its fifth year.

Ukrainian forces have struck oil facilities in Russia and occupied Ukraine as part of their campaign to impose economic costs on Moscow. Ukrainian and Russian officials confirmed the attacks on Monday. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy has confirmed that Roman Abramovich acted as a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow, delivering messages from Russian President Putin. Russia's Defense Ministry reported shooting down 310 Ukrainian drones overnight. Meanwhile, Ukraine's General Staff said Ukrainian forces targeted Russia's Krasnodar Krai region and Crimea, sparking fires at oil facilities. Russian drone strikes injured civilians in several Ukrainian regions, including Kharkiv and Odesa.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected a proposal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a face-to-face meeting, saying he sees "no point" in it. Speaking Friday at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin described Zelenskyy's open letter proposing the meeting as "boorish." It was the first public message Zelenskyy has sent directly to Putin since Russia sent troops into Ukraine in 2022 and was a critique of the Russian leader's 26 years in power as well as taunting him about his age. The 73-year-old Putin pointed at other global leaders who are older, adding that "the main thing is the ability to work." In an earlier speech, Putin criticized the West's unilateral sanctions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for face-to-face negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a public letter on Thursday, Zelenskyy criticized Putin's long tenure and proposed a meeting in a neutral country like Switzerland, Turkey or Arab states. He highlighted Ukraine's recent battlefield gains and Russia's intensified aerial attacks. Zelenskyy accused Moscow of trying to prolong the war and destabilize regions like Transnistria. He claimed significant Russian casualties and proposed a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. Zelenskyy emphasized that global fatigue is growing with Russia, not Ukraine.

Ukrainian long-range drones have struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, setting it ablaze, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The attack comes as the Russian city hosts a major event for attracting foreign capital. The drones flew over 1,000 kilometers to hit the terminal, a day after Moscow launched a major attack on Kyiv. Russian authorities confirmed the strike but provided few details. The city's airport briefly suspended flights, and mobile internet services were cut off. Both sides have been launching long-range strikes as the war continues with no end in sight.

Russian forces launched a massive aerial attack on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, and officials say at least 22 civilians were killed and 138 were wounded. The assault with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles began overnight and continued during the day. In the central city of Dnipro, officials said rescue crews searching the rubble recovered the bodies of a 3-year-old child as well as those of a woman and her 8-year-old son. Kyiv residents have been on edge after Russia warned last week of a massive attack. President Vladimir Putin has intensified Moscow's campaign, exploiting Ukraine's shortage of air defense systems. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for more support from the U.S. and Europe.

Romanian authorities say a Russian drone that was part of an overnight attack on Ukraine crashed into an apartment building in eastern Romania. Two people had minor injuries and several were evacuated. The Defense Ministry said Friday the drone was tracked by radar in Romanian airspace and crashed onto the roof of a building in Galati. Russia has been using long-range ballistic missiles and drones to damage Ukraine's power grid and hammer cities, and Ukraine has braced for further heavy bombardments. Romania's Foreign Ministry said the country is asking NATO for a faster transfer of anti-drone capabilities to its military.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is pressing the United States for more Patriot air defense missiles to counter Russian attacks. He sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump and Congress earlier this week but hasn't received a reply. Zelenskyy is eager to secure foreign weaponry as Ukraine battles Russia's full-scale invasion. Zelenskyy said Thursday during a visit to Sweden that Ukraine has plans to buy 20 Gripen fighter jets and receive 16 older models as a donation. Ukrainian drones are also playing a crucial role in limiting Russian advances by targeting supply routes and front-line positions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has written to U.S. President Donald Trump and Congress asking for more air defense ammunition. Kyiv said on Wednesday that the request comes as Russian missile attacks escalate. Zelenskyy also warned that U.S. stockpiles are being drained due to the attacks and the Iran war. Meanwhile, Russian lawmakers want bank staff to help combat Ukrainian drones. A draft bill suggests banks install jamming systems and train employees to intercept drones. The measure reflects Russia's struggle against Ukraine's drone innovations. The U.K. intelligence reports that nearly 500,000 Russian troops have been killed since the conflict began.