Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on May 10, President Volodymyr Zelensky rebuked the idea of a demilitarized zone in the war and emphasized the importance of first securing a ceasefire.
"We agreed that a full and unconditional ceasefire must begin on Monday, May 12, for at least 30 days. We jointly demand this from Russia, and we know we are supported in this by the United States," Zelensky said.
Ukrainian media outlet ZN.UA reported on May 10 that their law enforcement sources confirmed an ongoing probe by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau into suspected embezzlement, money laundering and bribery.
Iran is preparing to send Russia Fath-360 short-range ballistic missile launchers, Reuters reported on May 9, citing Western security and regional officials familiar with the matter.
"Ukraine and all allies are ready for a complete unconditional ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea for at least 30 days, starting as early as Monday," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote.
U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged in private that Russia is difficult to negotiate with because they "want the whole thing," referring to Ukraine, the WSJ reported, citing sources familiar with the comments.
A notice about the airspace closure was published on the U.S. Defense Department's NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) website on May 10, as cited by Ukrainian defense news outlet Militarnyi.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the idea of a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, claiming in an interview with ABC News on May 10 that it would be "an advantage" for Ukraine.
Illustrative image; The Saratov Oil Refinery is located on the Volga River in the city of Saratov in Saratov Oblast. The refinery was reportedly attacked by drones overnight on Nov. 8, 2024. (Wikimedia Commons)
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
A “massive” Ukrainian drone attack targeted an oil depot near the city of Oryol in western Russia overnight, causing a fire at the site, Oryol Oblast Governor Andrey Klychkov reported on Dec. 22.
Klychkov claimed that Russian forces downed 20 drones over Oryol Oblast targeting fuel and energy infrastructure facilities. Local authorities reported the attack at around 1 a.m. local time.
Videos posted on social media and shot by local residents show large explosions lighting up the night sky around the city. The extent of the damage caused was not immediately clear.
Klychkov claimed that no casualties or injuries had been reported as a result of the attack. He said at around 8 a.m. local time that the fire was extinguished.
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Video of a purported drone attack on an oil depot in the suburbs of the Russian city of Oryol. Explosions are seen amid active Russian air defenses. (Vchkogpu/Telegram)
The Kyiv Independent cannot verify the claims made by Russian officials, and Ukraine's military has not yet commented on the attack.
The attack comes just one week after Ukrainian drones struck the same oil depot, causing a large fire to break out. The fire reportedly burned for several days following the attack. The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said after the Dec. 14 attack that the depot in the Stalnoy Kon village is among the largest oil product terminals in Russia and is “part of the Russian military-industrial complex, providing supplies of petroleum products for the Russian army."
Over the past year, Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia's oil industry, which is crucial to sustain Moscow's war efforts, as well as its military hardware.
As Russia's full-scale invasion continues, Ukraine has also continued to attack Russian targets along the Russia-Ukraine border to inflict damage to the country's military supply chain.
Earlier on Dec. 21, Ukrainian drones reportedly attacked the Russian city of Kazan, located over 1,000 km from the Russia-Ukraine border. The drones hit several buildings and suspended flights in the local airport.
Dmytro Basmat is a senior news editor for The Kyiv Independent. He previously worked in Canadian politics as a communications lead and spokesperson for a national political party, and as a communications assistant for a Canadian Member of Parliament. Basmat has a Master's degree in Political Management from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance from Toronto Metropolitan University.
Martina Sapio
