Overview
- Ukraine announced on Friday that it has lifted a self‑imposed ban on attacking Russian refineries and has resumed long‑range strikes to target Moscow’s energy revenue.
- Russian officials reported a refinery fire and damage after what they called a large Ukrainian drone and missile attack, illustrating a fresh cycle of reciprocal energy strikes.
- President Trump on Friday exempted application of newly passed U.S. sanctions against Russia and moved to allow imports of Russian diesel while publicly calling Ukraine’s refinery strikes “a shame.”
- Kyiv says U.S. military intelligence sharing has been reduced and that Starlink/Starshield satellite services were temporarily limited, a claim that SpaceX and U.S. officials have disputed in differing accounts.
- Faced with U.S. policy shifts, President Zelensky travelled to Brussels to request roughly €70 billion in loans and hardware; EU leaders publicly reaffirmed sanctions on Russia and pledged continued support while warning about funding limits.