The war between Russia and Ukraine continued to grow more intense as both countries carried out major attacks against each other. Ukraine announced that it successfully struck two important oil refineries deep inside Russia using long-range drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attacks targeted the Slavneft-Yanos oil refinery in the Yaroslavl region and the Bashneft-Novoil refinery in Bashkortostan. He described the strikes as part of Ukraine’s effort to weaken Russia’s ability to support its military operations. After the attack, large clouds of thick black smoke were seen rising over the city of Yaroslavl. Videos and pictures shared online showed several fires burning at the refinery. The refinery is one of the largest in Russia and is capable of processing around 15 million tonnes of crude oil every year. It produces fuel for cars, aircraft, and many industrial products, making it an important part of Russia’s energy industry. Russian officials confirmed that the Yaroslavl region was targeted by drones. Governor Mikhail Evraev said air defense systems destroyed the incoming drones, but falling debris damaged oil storage tanks, started fires, and caused damage to nearby homes and vehicles. Four people were reportedly injured by shrapnel, while emergency crews worked to control the fires. The governor described it as the largest drone attack the region had experienced. Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 605 Ukrainian drones overnight across different regions, including the Moscow area, Yaroslavl, and the Black Sea. Officials also reported that three people were killed in separate Ukrainian drone attacks in different parts of Russia, while several others were injured. President Zelensky also claimed that Ukraine struck two Russian military patrol boats and vessels linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet in the Black Sea. Ukraine has increased its attacks on Russian energy facilities, warehouses, and military infrastructure in recent months. Ukrainian leaders say these strikes are intended to reduce Russia’s ability to finance and continue the war. While Ukraine carried out attacks inside Russia, Russian forces also launched heavy strikes across several Ukrainian regions. According to Ukrainian officials, at least 10 people were killed during the latest wave of Russian attacks. In the southern port city of Odesa, one person died after a Russian strike hit a ship carrying Ukrainian wheat in the Black Sea. The attack also injured three other people and caused a fire on board the vessel. In Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, two people were killed after a Russian strike hit a train station. Another separate attack on the town of Balakliya killed three more people and injured several others. Homes and buildings caught fire, and emergency workers spent hours putting out the flames and searching damaged areas. Russian strikes also affected the Dnipropetrovsk region. One person was reported killed in Pavlohrad, where warehouse buildings used by logistics companies caught fire. In the nearby city of Kamianske, three more people lost their lives in another attack. In the northeastern city of Sumy, Russian overnight strikes injured 12 people. Officials said residential buildings and civilian infrastructure were damaged. Some of the injured remain in serious condition and are receiving hospital treatment. Ukraine continues to face growing challenges in defending against Russian missile and drone attacks. President Zelensky recently said that supplies of air defense missiles from international partners have dropped sharply compared to last year. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said discussions are continuing with allied countries to provide Ukraine with more air defense systems as quickly as possible. The conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has now entered its fifth year. Although the front lines have changed only gradually in recent months, both countries continue to launch long-range drone attacks and missile strikes. Energy facilities, military sites, transport infrastructure, ports, and residential areas have all become frequent targets. The latest attacks show that neither side is slowing its military operations. Ukraine continues to target Russia’s energy infrastructure far from the battlefield, while Russia continues to carry out strikes across Ukrainian cities. As fighting continues, civilians in both countries remain affected by the ongoing conflict, with lives lost, homes damaged, and critical infrastructure repeatedly coming under attack.