Key facts
- President Zelensky stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has lost the initiative in the war with Ukraine.
- Zelensky said Putin refuses to declare a ceasefire.
- Ukraine's General Staff announced an audit of combat unit staffing and manpower allocation.
- Ukrainian forces struck a major oil refinery and a logistics center in Ryazan, Russia.
- One person was killed and at least 30 others were injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine.
- The death toll from a Russian strike on a Kyiv arms exhibition rose to 12.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in a Fox News interview that Russian President Vladimir Putin has lost the initiative in the war with Ukraine but continues to refuse a ceasefire. Zelensky attributed this shift to Ukraine's advancements in defense technology, its commitment to minimizing battlefield losses, and crucial support from allies, including Senator Lindsey Graham.
Ukraine's General Staff announced an audit of combat unit staffing and manpower allocation under its new commander, General Mykhailo Drapatyi. This reform follows criticism of the previous leadership regarding the distribution of scarce mobilized recruits.
In parallel, Ukrainian forces conducted strikes on Russia's Ryazan Oblast, hitting a major oil refinery and a Wildberries warehouse. The Ryazan Oil Refinery accounts for approximately 5% of Russia's total oil processing output and has been a frequent target.
Over the past day, Russian attacks across six Ukrainian oblasts resulted in one death and at least 30 injuries, including a child. A bread delivery van driver in Kherson was killed by a drone strike.
Separately, the death toll from a Russian ballistic missile strike on a Kyiv arms exhibition last week rose to 12 after a critically injured man died in hospital. The attack occurred as Russia increasingly uses ballistic missiles against Kyiv, while Ukraine faces missile shortages.