Zelenskyy announces strikes on Russian refinery, holds talks with allies on air defence

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that the forces struck the Novokuybyshevsk refinery located 1,000 kilometres from the front line, claiming to have deprived Russia of "millions of dollars in export revenues," reported ANI.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy stated that the long-range operations also hit a logistics hub in the Samara region and targets in the Black Sea.

"Ukrainian long-range sanctions continue to limit Russia's military and economic potential, ensuring the aggressor state feels the impact of the war more directly. Over the past 24 hours, our forces struck the Novokuybyshevsk refinery--1,000 kilometers from the front line--depriving the Russian war machine of millions of dollars in export revenues. We also hit a logistics hub in the Samara region and targets in the Black Sea," he wrote.

Reviewing previous strikes, he noted that Ukrainian forces destroyed "a Su-24M aircraft and four pieces of airfield equipment were destroyed, while in the Bryansk region, we took out drone-control relay stations used by the occupiers to guide strike UAVs toward peaceful Ukrainian cities and villages."

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy also held a series of diplomatic engagements focused on securing critical air defence systems for the winter season.

Meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Zelenskyy discussed strengthening air defence and advancing a bilateral Drone Deal agreement.

Wadephul, highlighting the urgency of winter preparations, wrote in a post on X, "Ukraine is celebrating its 35th Independence Day these days. At the same time, Putin's rockets & drones are attacking the country more relentlessly than ever before. The Russian attacks are deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure such as power and heating supply. That's why we're already thinking about the winter now and working to support Ukraine in its winter preparations. Putin is counting on wearing down the people in Ukraine. But their society is resilient."

Further reaffirming support to Kyiv, the German Minister wrote, "Ukrainians have shown extraordinary resilience in the face of Putin's brutal war. We stand firmly by your side."

In a separate discussion with General Keith Kellogg, the Ukrainian President emphasised that supplying interceptors for Patriot systems is an absolute priority to counter escalating Russian strikes on infrastructure.

Furthermore, Zelenskyy held a "nearly two-hour conversation" with French President Emmanuel Macron, who he said confirmed readiness to assist in securing Patriot interceptors from international partners and accelerate the delivery of advanced French equipment, missiles, and production licenses.

Subsequently, Macron, condemning the latest assaults, stated, "With these strikes and those this week against Kyiv, Russia is continuing and intensifying the crime of its aggression... By systematically targeting civilians, and by choosing intimidation and escalation, Russia is likely seeking to project strength but is above all revealing an admission of weakness."

Macron confirmed France's readiness to assist in securing Patriot interceptors from international partners and accelerate the delivery of advanced French equipment, missiles, and production licenses. He also underscored the need to "increase the pressure on Russia."

"It is crucial to provide Ukraine with all the necessary means to defend its skies and thwart this aggression. I announced to President Zelensky the strengthening of our support, with the delivery of interceptors and the continuation of our cooperation in the wake of the launch meeting of the Anti-Missile Coalition held in Paris on July 13 last and the letter of intent signed on November 17, 2025. It is essential that all countries with capabilities at their disposal also join this effort," he wrote.

The updates came against the backdrop of ongoing domestic relief and rescue efforts following sustained aerial assaults.

Zelenskyy, in another post, stated that in Kryvyi Rih, emergency personnel continued clearing rubble at the site of a devastating strike on a shopping mall that left16 people dead and 130 injured, including 23 children. He added that separate overnight missile and drone attacks struck civilian, energy, and railway infrastructure across multiple regions.

"The fire, which spread across 9,000 square meters, has been extinguished. SESU specialists are clearing the rubble and continuing to search for people. Rescuers from seven regions and canine search teams are involved in the operation. Sadly, 16 people have now been confirmed killed and 130 injured, including 23 children. My condolences to all the families and loved ones...," he wrote.

"There were also missile and drone strikes throughout the evening and night. In Kyiv, ballistic missile strikes damaged railway infrastructure. One person was killed and another injured. In Zaporizhzhia, there was an absolutely inhumane FPV drone strike on a city minibus, injuring three people. Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Sumy, Kherson, Chernihiv, and Mykolaiv regions also came under attack. Residential buildings, energy and railway infrastructure facilities, and civilian businesses were damaged," he added.

According to CNN, authorities described the strike as a "double-tap" attack. Footage geolocated by CNN showed a drone hitting the mall, causing a fireball, with smoke from an earlier strike still visible.

Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city's defence council, said 121 people were wounded, 29 critically, including a 14-year-old girl with a brain injury and four other children, as reported by CNN.

The developments come as Russia has intensified aerial attacks on Ukraine in recent months amid a static frontline and strained Ukrainian air defences as Zelenskyy continues to urge allies for support.

2 killed in Russian attacks near Kiev

Two people were killed in Russian missile strikes near Kiev on Saturday as German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited the capital days before Ukraine marks the 35th anniversary of its independence - and vowed to keep supporting the war-torn country, reported dpa.

"There have been two fatalities, one of them a child," Wadephul said. "This makes it painfully clear to us once again: We are in a war zone."

And this war is not only being fought on the front line, but all over the country, he said, as Moscow's forces struck targets throughout the beleaguered nation. "This also makes it clear that practical support for this country remains essential," Wadephul said.

Air-raid alerts sounded in Kiev during an event with veterans attended by Wadephul and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russia launched a ballistic missile attack on the nearby city of Boryspil, home to the international airport that has been closed since the start of the war.

According to reports from the Ukrainian Air Force, at least three missiles were fired on the city, which lies just under 30 kilometres east of the capital. Cluster munitions may also have been used, Ukrainian reports said.

Eight others were injured in the incident, said the governor of Kiev region, Tymur Tkachenko, with damage reported to storage facilities, vehicles and buildings.

The attack was the latest in a recent series of Russian strikes across Ukraine, with 16 people killed in a shopping centre in Zelensky's home city of Kryvyi Rih on Friday, and a further 16 killed in the capital on Thursday.