by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
KYIV (Worthy News) – Ukraine said Wednesday it struck two of Russia’s largest oil refineries in overnight long-range drone attacks, intensifying pressure on Moscow as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met U.S. President Donald J. Trump in Washington.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and General Staff said the strikes hit a Lukoil refinery in Russia’s Perm region, more than 900 miles (1,500 kilometers) from Ukraine, and another refinery in the Ryazan region, about 250 miles (400 kilometers) from the border.
Kyiv officials explained that the facilities have a combined annual refining capacity of about 220 million barrels and play a key role in supporting Russia’s military and economy.
Russian authorities confirmed a drone attack in the Ryazan region but did not acknowledge strikes on the refineries.
Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov said six people were hospitalized and fires broke out at unspecified industrial sites.
WILDBERRIES SUFFERING STRIKE
Russian online retailer Wildberries, often described as Russia’s equivalent of Amazon, said it evacuated employees from one of its Ryazan facilities following the attack.
The claims could not be independently verified.
Ukraine also said its forces had struck more than 200 Russian vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov over the past three weeks, while targeting a naval base, a radar station, a drone launch site, and a bridge in Russian-occupied territory.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 295 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions and occupied Crimea. Meanwhile, Russian glide bombs struck Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, wounding at least 11 people, regional officials said.
ZELENSKYY SEEKS US SUPPORT
The attacks came hours after Zelenskyy met Trump at the White House in a bid to secure additional U.S. military assistance and tougher sanctions against Russia.
“Russia must feel that every day of this war will only come at a higher cost for it,” Zelenskyy said, adding that sustained pressure was needed to help bring the war to an end.
Trump described the meeting as “a Great Honor,” while Zelenskyy called the talks “good.”
The Ukrainian leader also met dozens of U.S. senators and executives from defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Raytheon to discuss expanded weapons cooperation and joint production.
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