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Ukrainian UAVs have hit Russia's Bashneft refinery in the city of Ufa, situated approximately 1,400 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, causing blasts and a blaze, per a source in Ukraine's Security Service.

This marks the latest Ukrainian security service long-range attack in Bashkortostan in the recent weeks. These strikes demonstrate that there are no protected areas in the far hinterland of the Russian state.

Ukrainian President Urges Trump to Facilitate Truce in the Conflict

Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to the US President to facilitate a truce in the Ukrainian conflict over a telephone conversation on the weekend.

"Provided that a hostilities can be halted in one region, then undoubtedly other wars can be ended as well, including the Russian war," Zelenskyy remarked, praising the US President's "exceptional" Middle East peace initiative and urging the American leader to compel the Moscow into talks.

Russian Strikes Claim Casualties in the Country

Russian attacks on Ukraine resulted in the deaths of five people on the weekend and caused blackouts to areas of Ukraine's southern Odesa oblast, per authorities in Ukraine.

Two civilians were killed in a place of worship in Kostyantynivka when it was struck, as reported by local authorities.

In the Russian adjacent territory of Belgorod, a lorry operator was killed by a attack from Ukraine, according to regional authorities.

Energy Recovery Operations in Kyiv

Operations proceeded on the weekend to restore power in Kyiv, after strikes by Moscow.

Energy had been recovered to in excess of 800,000 inhabitants by Saturday and the major private energy company said the key efforts to recover electricity was concluded though partial blackouts continued.

Air Defence Operations and Drone Jamming

Ukraine's defense forces neutralized 54 of 78 total Russian drones launched towards the country overnight, the air force reported on Saturday.

Russia's military authorities stated it eliminated forty-two drones over its own soil.

Cuban Government Denies Accusations of Deploying Forces to Ukraine

Havana on Saturday refuted US allegations it has provided soldiers to engage in the Ukraine war, while stating the government "do not have accurate data about Cuban nationals" engaged "independently" or "within the troops of either party".

The foreign ministry in the capital said 26 Cubans had been given prison terms to incarceration varying between 5 to 14 years for participating as mercenaries since the autumn of 2023 when news circulated of Cuban nationals being sent to the front in Ukraine.

I Want to Live Initiative Reports Information on Cuban Recruitment

I Want to Live, a Ukrainian government program that promotes opposing fighters to surrender, stated in spring: "We have confirmed the identities and information of one thousand and twenty-eight Cuban nationals who signed contracts with the Moscow's troops in recently."

The government in Havana commented of Cuban nationals who might be engaged: "Undeniably that not a single one possesses the support, commitment, or authorization of the Cuban authorities for their actions."

Kin of individuals who traveled to the Russian Federation in the year reported to news outlets at the time that their family members had been misled into enlisting through promotions on online platforms.