Ukrainian forces have launched another drone strike against a major Russian e-commerce operator, targeting a logistics facility belonging to Ozon. According to reports from the state-run news agency Tass citing the company, employees at the center located in the southern Russian republic of Adygeja were evacuated following the attack, which ignited a fire. Preliminary data indicates that there were no injuries, though these details have not yet been independently verified.
This incident is part of a broader Ukrainian strategy to systematically strike distant targets within Russia, including refineries and the arms industry, as part of its defense against the ongoing invasion since February 2022. In recent weeks, Ukraine has specifically focused on damaging or destroying distribution centers belonging to Russian online giants Wildberries and Ozon.
Amidst these military developments, diplomatic efforts are advancing with direct talks between Ukraine and Russia scheduled for next Tuesday and Wednesday in the United Arab Emirates, mediated by the United States. US President Donald Trump expressed optimism in an interview with the Financial Times, stating that both sides appear ready to reach an agreement. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin on Tuesday, where both leaders emphasized the necessity of European involvement in the upcoming peace negotiations aimed at ending the Russian offensive.
President Zelenskyy later thanked German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for Germany's comprehensive support via the platform X, describing Europe as a vital component in advancing the peace process. Russia remains the largest supporter of Ukraine currently.
On the military front, Russia continued its nighttime attacks on various regions of Ukraine. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported via Telegram that two power plants in the Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions were hit, alongside an attack on a cargo ship near the port city of Odesa. Ukrainian authorities confirmed additional strikes in the Poltava, Dnipro, Kirovohrad, and Rivne regions, as well as further attacks on the capital, Kyiv.
Sources: Der Spiegel.