Rescue workers battle blaze after latest Russian onslaught on Zaporizhzhia(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has warned the world could risk ‘global conflict’ if the Russia – Ukraine war continues. Lukashenko – an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin – said: “This conflict must be frozen.The most dangerous thing is that this conflict will go on. And if the escalation is still there, the consequences might be very hard and very dangerous for Europe and for the entire world.
“It will escalate into a global conflict. That is why we must extinguish this conflict right now when we have the opportunity.” The warning came as Ukraine and Russia exchanged cross-border drone attacks overnight even as both sides mull over the latest US peace proposals.
Putin ally: Belaruse President Lukashenko(Image: AP)
Kyiv’s troops left a trail of blazes across several of Russia’s major oil installations in a post-midnight onslaught as Moscow attacked Ukraine’s civilians. The attacks are Kyiv’s masterplan to try to cripple the Kremlin’s ability to bankroll its war on Ukraine by destroying Russian oil supplies which pay for the conflict.
It is believed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is mulling over US proposals to give Kyiv security guarantees if it is more flexible over peace proposals. At least 18 major explosions rocked the city of Slavyansk-on-Kuban, as the Slavyansk Oil Refinery was smashed by drones for the third time this year.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin(Image: AP)
Explosions from that attack lasted for about three years in one of Ukraine biggest oil site attacks in months – as more refineries were hit elsewhere. Much of the energy supplies being pushed to the frontline in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin ’s war on Ukraine has been sourced at Slavyansk.
Drone strikes were also reported overnight in the Russian areas of Saratov and Engels, both with oil installations, and also previously targeted. And a suburb of Yeysk in the Russian region of Krasnodar Krai was also attacked earlier today in strikes that set of fireballs.
Zaporizhzhia under attack by Russia(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The Yeysk seaport hosts a fuel oil and petroleum products complex. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defences “intercepted and destroyed” 94 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 31 over Krasnodar Krai, 22 over Rostov region, and eight over Saratov region.
Russia attacks the provinces of Kharkiv and Odesa in revenge strikes. Ukraine is believed to be mulling over US NATO-like security guarantees in the latest proposals for a ceasefire. It is believed Kyiv is considering giving up on its NATO membership ambitions in exchange for US security guarantees.
Key Ukrainian city Kramatorsk: under attack(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
And it is also considering a suggestion from the US that the disputed Donbas region – which Russia wants – could become an ‘free economic zone.” In revenge for Ukraine’s recent attacks on Moscow’s oil complexes Russian commanders unleashed scores of explosive drones over the border.
Fired from multiple directions the weapons caused widesread damage and injury across eastern and southern Ukraine. Russian forces launched two waves of drone attacks on the southern Odesa region, damaging transport infrastructure. Almost 300,000 homes in that region remain without electricity in freezing weather conditions. Russian drone strikes were also launched on civilian targets in Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky(Image: Getty Images)
Zaporizhzhia Regional Governor Ivan Fedorov said Russian forces were attacking the city, hitting a residential building. He said in a report: “In the regional center, two residential buildings were hit.
“Preliminary reports suggest there may be people under the rubble.” Later he confirmed that at least 26 people, including one child, were injured in the Russian strikes on Zaporizhia and the surrounding region.