Zelensky Strikes Russian Oil Hub Hours After Criticizing Trump's Diesel Deal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky targeted a key Russian oil terminal shortly after condemning former President Donald Trump's reported agreement to supply diesel fuel to Russia, which he called a sign of 'weakness'.
Ukrainian forces struck Russia's Novoshakhtinsk oil terminal, a significant export hub, in overnight drone attacks. The strike occurred hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized former President Donald Trump's reported agreement to supply diesel fuel to Russia, calling it "weak" and "unworthy."
Russian authorities reported that the Novoshakhtinsk oil terminal, with an annual capacity of 3.5 million tons, experienced fires following a swarm of approximately 50 drones. A connected railway bridge in Rostov-on-Don was also damaged, halting traffic in both directions. Additionally, two ships in the Sea of Azov were reportedly targeted.
President Zelensky stated that Russia is currently weaker on the front lines than at any other point in the war, leading Russian President Vladimir Putin to rely on terror tactics and backroom deals. Zelensky asserted that any relaxation of sanctions against Russia, without a clear de-escalation agreement, signifies weakness.
Following the Ukrainian strike, Russian forces launched an aerial bomb attack on a residential building in Zaporizhzhia, killing at least seven people, including three young girls. Ten others were wounded, and 16 people were reported missing. The attack damaged more than two dozen residential buildings, with one section of an apartment building collapsing.
The reported diesel deal between Trump and Putin has drawn criticism from Kyiv. An advisor to Putin, Yury Ushakov, described the call between Trump and Putin as friendly, lasting an hour and a half, with "neither side wanting to hang up first." Trump indicated readiness to continue communication with Putin.
Reports suggest that Trump's negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, allegedly threatened to cut off intelligence to Ukraine during talks in Miami if Zelensky continued striking Russian oil facilities. A U.S. official, however, denied this, stating that Zelensky was misinterpreting the situation and that continuing refinery strikes was eroding goodwill with Trump.
The Ukrainian negotiating team reportedly departed Miami early after the diesel deal was announced. The estimated £3.4 billion diesel deal came shortly after a Ukrainian drone swarm disrupted Putin's aircraft during its return to Moscow. Russia subsequently lifted its export curbs on diesel.