Kyiv, 22 May 2026
On 22 May 2026, Ukraine launched a drone attack on an oil storage facility in the Russian port city of Novorossiysk, causing a fire, while Switzerland expanded sanctions against Russia and Belarus in line with the EU's latest measures.
Updated 23 May 2026: Ukraine has struck an oil storage facility in Novorossiysk with drones, and Switzerland imposed new sanctions on Russia and Belarus.
The drone attack ignited a fire at the oil storage site, which has been targeted multiple times in previous incidents. Local authorities reported the blaze was brought under control, though no casualty figures from the Russian side were immediately available.
What's new since 23 May
In a separate development, Switzerland adopted changes from the European Union's 20th sanctions package, tightening restrictions on institutions and individuals from both Russia and Belarus. The move aligns Bern with broader Western efforts to pressure Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
In the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, six people were killed in what occupation authorities described as a Ukrainian drone strike. Ukraine immediately rejected that account, and a dispute over the incident quickly escalated.
United Nations Secretary-General condemned the attack on a dormitory in Luhansk, while the UN also confirmed that a Russian attack struck a UNHCR building on Wednesday. Nordic countries added their voices, condemning Russian threats linked to a separate drone incident.
International Condemnation and Sanctions
The mutual drone exchanges remained intense. Russia's defence ministry reported shooting down 348 drones overnight, while Ukraine's air force said it faced 124 Russian drone attacks, with 102 aerial objects rendered harmless by its air defence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that allies now see Ukraine as strengthened in the war. The remark came as diplomatic activity continued behind the scenes.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced that Zelenskiy will participate in the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, signalling the alliance's continued high-level engagement with Kyiv.
Diplomatic Dialogue and NATO
US Senator Marco Rubio weighed in on the NATO dynamic, stating that the alliance must also be of value to the United States, reflecting ongoing debates within member states about burden-sharing.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister described US-mediated talks as 'exhausted', hinting at frustration with the pace and substance of diplomacy aimed at ending the conflict.
The attack on the Novorossiysk oil facility, a strategic Black Sea port, drew fresh attention to Ukraine's ability to strike deep into Russian territory, even as humanitarian concerns mount over the toll on civilians and infrastructure on both sides.