Украйн улс ОХУ-ын мэдэгдлийг үгүйсгэж, эрчим хүчний дэд бүтцэд цохилт өгч байна

The Ukrainian president called a bluff on Moscow’s claim of capturing the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka, calling it “another Russian lie”.

General Valery Gerasimov, the chief of Russia’s General Staff, said on Thursday that Kostiantynivka had fallen under Russian control, but Ukraine’s general staff categorically denied the claim.

“Of course, this is not true – it is simply yet another Russian lie designed to generate some sort of news,” Zelensky said yesterday about Russia’s claims on a call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

“If Kostiantynivka were currently under Russian control, then surely Putin would have no problem meeting me there and finding diplomatic solutions to finally end the war,” the Ukrainian president said.

Ukraine struck the St Petersburg oil terminal and the Kronstadt Naval Base in Leningrad Oblast, which is Russia’s main Baltic Fleet base, causing fires at the oil terminal and the base overnight.

The drone attack is a significant blow as the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal is one of the largest petroleum transhipment terminals in the Baltic region, with a design capacity of 12.5 million tons of petroleum per year.

Russia uses the naval base for warship repair and maintenance and for controlling the sea approaches to St. Petersburg.

Footage published yesterday shows fire and smoke at the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal after Ukrainian drone attacks.

The strikes may have reduced the Russian oil refining industry to over 40 per cent of its capacity, Ukraine’s military said.

The Ukrainian president visited a medical facility in Odesa and met wounded soldiers and veterans there yesterday.

“It is good to see you. Thank you for your service, for defending our country, and for your courage. We are proud of you and wish you a speedy recovery,” Zelensky said

He also met veterans and graduates of Ukraine’s Superhumans rehabilitation center in Odesa.

“I’m often asked – by foreign journalists and by our partners – how Ukraine does it. How, despite all strikes and all the horrible pain, Ukrainians can keep going, refuse to give up, and remain so resilient. One of the answers is you and your example,” the Ukrainian president said.

Russia has proposed a temporary ceasefire lasting about 6 hours on Monday in the front-line city of Kostiantynivka, which it previously claimed was captured by Moscow’s troops.

The Russian defence ministry proposed the ceasefire from 12pm to 6pm tomorrow to facilitate the handover of fallen Ukrainian service members’ bodies.

Kremlin said Ukraine must notify the Russian military of its decision by noon today Moscow time.

Russia claimed yesterday that the Donetsk Oblast city of Kostiantynivka was under Russian control.

But Ukraine has categorically denied Russia’s claim of capturing Kostiantynivka, calling it false.

Netherlands said yesterday that it would host a special tribunal to prosecute Russia’s leadership for launching the invasion of Ukraine.

Since there are currently no global legal entities authorised to prosecute what’s called a “crime of aggression” for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a dedicated tribunal needs to be organised for it.

“The Russian aggression against Ukraine cannot go unpunished. That is why we need to establish a special tribunal,” the Dutch prime minister Rob Jetten posted on X after a call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

He confirmed that the Netherlands will serve as the host country for the special tribunal.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with US president Donald Trump yesterday, congratulating him on America’s 250th year of independence.

The two also discussed the battlefield situation and efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.

“We are grateful to the United States for all the assistance provided, from Javelins and Patriots to political support,” Zelensky wrote.

Ukraine appreciates that “America stand with us in defending our independence”, he said.

Discussing the current situation on the front line, the Ukrainian president said there is a “real opportunity to end this war”, adding that “America’s determination will be decisive”.

“Thank you, America! Thank you, Mr. President!” he wrote, wishing the US “continued prosperity and every success” on its Independence Day.

When Vladimir Putin spoke to a state TV reporter, few expected him to make such a frank admission about his flagging invasion in Ukraine.

Speaking just hours after Ukraine hit another oil refinery in the southern Krasnodar region, Putin said that Russia was facing “problems” due to repeated attacks on infrastructure that have sparked fuel shortages across the country.

Ukraine has intensified strikes on refineries, depots and supply routes in recent months as part of an audacious strategy using cutting-edge long-range drones. Queues have been seen at petrol stations across Russia, while fuel rationing has been implemented in regions including occupied Crimea and Siberia.