Advances in Donbas and Oil Supply Crisis: New Tensions in Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Russian Ministry of Defense has claimed control over the settlements of Rusyn Yar, Volodymyrivka, and Katerynivka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, a fire broke out at a fuel facility in Unecha, Bryansk region of Russia, following a Ukrainian drone attack. This facility is linked to the Europe-bound Druzhba oil pipeline, raising concerns that Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia could be cut off for at least five days.

In the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk in Donbas, the water crisis has reached critical levels. Local residents are lining up for long periods to collect water delivered by tanker trucks.

Diplomatic pressure is mounting. U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that if there is no progress in the peace process within the next two weeks, new sanctions will be imposed on Russia. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of saying “no” to all discussions.

In Minsk, calls have been made not to provoke Belarus amid the upcoming joint military exercises with Ukraine. However, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has dismissed these allegations as “completely baseless.”

Additionally, an Italian appeals court has upheld the detention of a Ukrainian national accused of attacking the Nord Stream gas pipeline. The accused has refused extradition to Germany.