Russia’s defence ministry has announced it is preparing “massive strikes” on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in retaliation for a drone campaign by Kyiv attacking warehouses and oil and gas facilities. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the move would be an “appropriate response” to Ukraine’s “path of escalation” and said that Moscow had been “fairly systematic” in attacking Kyiv’s military infrastructure. Ukraine has targeted online retailers Wildberries - often referred to as Russia’s Amazon - and Ozon, accusing the companies of selling goods that have aided the military, claims that they deny.
This comes as a missile attack killed two people and injured 16 in the city of Belgorod close to the Russian border with Ukraine, acting governor Alexander Shuvayev said. Sunday's deaths followed Ukraine's hit on a commercial facility, which also set ablaze seven warehouses in the city, he added. Meanwhile, CIA director John Ratcliffe is reported to have floated a trilateral meeting between Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Donald Trump during his mysterious visit to Moscow, according to two sources briefed on the matter cited by Axios.
Talks between Ukraine and Russia were paused in February when the US invaded Iran, and little progress has been made since. Russian warships have been tracked by the Navy through UK waters in an “intense” 72-hour operation. A task group was shadowed by Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan, Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans and patrol vessel HMS Severn as it made its way from the North Sea through the English Channel.
Russian destroyer Admiral Levchenko was watched escorting sanctioned cargo vessels General Skobelev and Sparta, with a Merlin helicopter extending the UK’s surveillance as the ships approached the Strait of Dover. In response to the tracking, Russia deployed other military resources including the Neustrashimy frigate to guard the illegal shipment, UK officials said. First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins said there was “no room for complacency” as shadow fleet vessels continue to pose “an unacceptable risk” to maritime security and the environment.
That is because Russia knows we stand ready to act again, should it be required,” he said. The director of the CIA had proposed a meeting between the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and the US when he visited Moscow, sources say. During his secret meeting with Russian officials, CIA director John Ratcliffe had floated a summit with Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Donald Trump, Axios reported.
It comes after talks between Ukraine and Russia were paused in February, when the US invaded Iran. The US has held talks with negotiators from both sides in recent months, but little progress has been made. Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s head of office, said this week that talks with Russia could resume in September.
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