Russia has been accused of deliberately targeting a UN humanitarian convoy in Kherson, with drones striking a clearly marked UN vehicle twice. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Telegram, “The Russians could not have failed to know which vehicle they were targeting.” UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher alleged that the strikes on the convoy were possibly a “targeted attack.”
Zelensky Warns of Planned Strikes on Government Buildings
Zelensky has claimed that Russia is planning to target around two dozen “decision-making centres,” including government buildings and military command posts. “They have been nursing this plan for a long time, and now, after Iran, have become active again – trying to locate us and track our movements,” he said. This follows Russia launching over 1,500 drones and dozens of missiles across Ukraine over two consecutive days, killing dozens, according to Ukrainian officials.
Fire at Russian Oil Refinery After Ukrainian Drone Strikes
A huge fire broke out at an oil refinery in Ryazan, central Russia, approximately 120 miles southeast of Moscow, following Ukrainian drone attacks. Russia’s defence ministry claimed to have downed 355 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions through the night.
UN Officials Condemn Drone Strikes on Aid Vehicles
Andrea De Domenico, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Ukraine, reported that two UN vehicles were damaged by Russian drone strikes. A clearly marked UN vehicle was hit while delivering aid in Kherson. “Over 200 civilians, mostly older people, remain there,” the agency stated.
Prisoner Exchange and Ongoing Attacks
Ukraine and Russia exchanged 205 prisoners of war each, mediated by the US and UAE. Meanwhile, overnight attacks damaged infrastructure in Odesa and Kharkiv, leaving nearly 40 settlements without electricity and injuring several people. In Kyiv, a Russian missile strike on an apartment building killed 24 people, prompting Zelensky to vow, “Ukraine will not allow any of the aggressor’s strikes that take the lives of our people to go unpunished.”
Ukraine’s presidential commissioner for sanctions policy, Vladyslav Vlasyuk, noted that Russia is launching newly produced missiles almost immediately, without stockpiling. He warned that easing sanctions on Russia could overwhelm Ukrainian air defences.
The widespread use of drones in the conflict is also reshaping military roles, with snipers being replaced by drone operators for reconnaissance and targeted strikes, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
