Ukraine claims to have attacked 21 Russian oil tankers in the Sea of Azov

According to its own statements, Kyiv aims to cut off the fuel supply for Russian troops stationed in the south and east of Ukraine and to disrupt Russia's lucrative oil exports. In recent days, Ukraine has repeatedly attacked ships in the Sea of Azov as well as transshipment facilities on land, including the port of Taganrog.

In southern Russia, several energy facilities burned after drone attacks. A refinery, fuel depots and the port of Taganrog were affected. Two fires at fuel depots in the southern Russian region of Rostov, which had been caused by Ukrainian drones on Friday, were extinguished on Saturday according to Slyusar.

Economic consequences for Russia

The economic consequences of the attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are, according to the assessment of the International Energy Agency, significant. The failure of major refineries is leading to an acute fuel shortage in Russia. Gasoline production has fallen to around 65 percent of the usual consumption according to calculations by the news agency Reuters. In view of the numerous Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure, the IEA expects a decline in oil production in Russia of around three percent this year.

The Ukrainian capital Kyiv was once again the target of a Russian missile attack overnight. Mayor Vitali Klitschko and military governor Tymur Tkachenko called on the population to seek shelter. According to Klitschko, at least three people were injured. Fires broke out in several districts. An office building and another building were also damaged. The emergency services said a child was among the injured.

Attacks on Kyiv and eastern Ukraine

In Russian attacks on Kramatorsk and Zaporizhzhia, at least five people were killed and 25 injured according to authorities. Numerous residential buildings were damaged or destroyed. The United Nations recorded at least 265 civilians killed and 1,816 injured in June – the highest casualty figure since the first months of the Russian war of aggression in 2022.

Parallel to the military developments, US Senator Lindsey Graham announced after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv that the path to peace talks leads more through Beijing than through Washington, Kyiv or Moscow. China should use its influence on Russia. Four senators from Republicans and Democrats said they had agreed with the government of President Donald Trump on a Russia sanctions package; planned measures include, among others, actions against states that continue to buy Russian oil and gas.

Ukraine and the USA have reached a political understanding on the licensed production of Patriot interceptor missiles according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Technical details still need to be clarified. Zelensky also announced additional PAC-3 missiles from the USA.

Diplomacy and sanctions

Internally, a scandal over deaths during basic training is causing unrest. It was triggered by a media report according to which more than two dozen recruits are said to have died during training within six months at the assault regiment "Skelja". According to the reports, recruits were mistreated and humiliated. Zelensky announced criminal investigations and personnel consequences; the priority is better treatment of soldiers.

An expert report by the OSCE accuses Russia of forced recruitment and military indoctrination of men and young people in the occupied territories. An estimated 1.6 million children and young people are affected or at risk. This news was broadcast on 11.07.2026 on the program Deutschlandfunk.