Black smoke rises from the Gazprom oil refinery in the Bashkortostan region in southwest Russia after a Ukrainian drone strike, May 9, 2024

Thursday’s Coverage: EU — Profits From Russian Assets Will Be Military Aid For Kyiv

Map: Institute for the Study of War

UPDATE 1800 GMT:

Russia has tried to advance into the Kharkiv region, liberated by Ukrainian forces in autumn 2022.

The Russians attacked near Vovchansk on the Ukrainian-Russian border. A “high-ranking Ukrainiran military source” said the invaders advanced one km (0.62 mile) and were hoping to establish a buffer zone 10 km (6.2 miles) deep.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said on Friday afternoon:

At approximately 5 a.m., there was an attempt by the enemy to break through our defensive line under the cover of armoured vehicles.

As of now, these attacks have been repulsed; battles of varying intensity continue.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy added at a press conference, “Ukraine met them there with troops: brigades and artillery.”

At least two civilians were killed and five more injured during heavy Russian shelling. Residents were evacuated from Vovchansk, 10 km (6.2 miles) from the border, and nearby areas.

Governor Oleh Syniehubov said:

All the enemy can do is to attack in certain small groups, you can call them sabotage and reconnaissance groups or something else, and test the positions of our military.

Later in the day, military spokesperson Nazar Voloshyn said that Russia’s attack is part of a psychological operation trying to pull Ukrainian troops away from the frontline in the neighboring Donetsk region.

UPDATE 0905 GMT:

At least two people have been injured in the Kharkiv region in northeast Ukraine by Russia’s latest attacks on civilian areas.

Fires were started in at least three residential buildings. Mayor Ihor Terekhov said an S-300 missile damaged 26 buildings, destroying two of them completely.

Air defenses downed all 10 Iran-type attack drones launched by Russia overnight.

The Russians fired at least two anti-aircraft missiles.

UPDATE 0757 GMT:

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has dismissed the head of the state guards, responsible for his personal protection.

The removal of Serhiy Rud came two days after the revelation of a Russian plot to assassinate Zelenskiy and other senior officials. Two Ukrainian colonels have been arrested.

See also Ukraine War, Day 805: Russia’s Plot to Assassinate Zelenskiy

UPDATE 0622 GMT:

Ukraine’s Deputy Agriculture Minister Markiian Dmytrasevych has been arrested amid the investigation of Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi, who was formally dismissed by the Ukrainian Parliament on Thursday.

The High Anti-Corruption Court issued the warrant for Dmytrasevych. He was taken into custody until July 7 with the opportunity to post Hr 20.3 million (around $514,600) in bail.

Solskyi, who is being investigated for alleged involvement in illegal acquisition of state-owned land, tendered his resignation in late April. He is free on Hr 75.7 million ($1.9 million) bail.

The former Minister is suspected of illegally appropriating Ukrainian State-owned land worth Hr 291 million ($7.3 million) and attempting to seize another plot worth an additional Hr 190 million ($4.8 million).

ORIGINAL ENTRY: A drone has struck an oil refinery 1,500 km (932 miles) inside Russia, Ukraine’s longest-range attack during Vladimir Putin’s 26 1/2-month invasion.

A Ukrainian intelligence official said the UAV, overseen by the State security service SBU. hit a catalytic cracking unit at the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat refinery, Russia’s 10th-largest.

“The SBU has once again proved it has powerful technological solutions that help to inflict painful blows on the enemy,” the official declared.

The head of the Bashkortostan region in southwest Russia, Radiy Khabirov, reported the strike on the oil processing, petrochemical, and fertilizer complex.

Russian emergency services confirmed a pumping station was hit, but Khabirov maintained that the refinery was “operating as normal”: “This is an attempt to spoil our holiday. We do not intend to give in to provocations. Happy Victory Day!”

Ukraine has escalated its missile and drone strikes far behind frontlines in 2024, both in Russia-occupied territory and inside Russia. It has targeted oil refineries, warships and naval facilities, airbases, and other supply and logistics points.

Before Thursday’s strike, Ukraine’s longest-range drone attack was 1,200 km (744 miles) inside Russia, on a large oil refinery in Tatarstan.

The attacks have reduced Russia’s output of refined oil by up to 14% before repairs were completed.