Ukraine has launched another significant aerial assault against Russian forces, marking the second consecutive night of aggressive attacks targeting occupied Crimea. According to local officials, Monday night’s offensive involved at least 21 drones aimed at strategic locations, including the Crimean port of Sevastopol. This follows Sunday’s massive drone assault, which saw Kyiv deploying as many as 75 drones across multiple Russian regions, reportedly sparking a fire at an oil refinery in the Russian town of Tuapse. While Russian authorities claimed the fire resulted from debris from a downed drone, this information remains unverified.
These military maneuvers coincide with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba’s rare diplomatic mission to China, Russia’s most significant ally. During his four-day visit, Kuleba plans to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to advocate for Ukraine’s position in the ongoing conflict. Kuleba has stated that the discussions will focus on “the restoration of peace, deepening our bilateral dialogue, and expanding trade and economic cooperation,” highlighting Ukraine’s strategic diplomatic efforts to counterbalance Russian influence.
In a related development, Ukraine has successfully negotiated a deal with international creditors to restructure approximately $20 billion of its national debt. This financial maneuver aims to fortify Kyiv’s ability to secure private capital, crucial for sustaining its military operations against Russian aggression.
Further escalating tensions, Ukrainian drones attacked a ferry at a port in southern Russia, near the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula, killing at least one person and injuring five others. The assault took place in the Kerch Strait, just 12 kilometers (seven miles) from the strategically important Kerch Bridge, which serves as a vital link between Russia and Crimea. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move that has been a focal point of ongoing geopolitical tensions.
As Ukraine continues its offensive strategy, these simultaneous military and diplomatic initiatives underscore Kyiv’s multifaceted approach to countering Russian forces while seeking broader international support and engagement.