Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky with military commanders, Kyiv, March 22, 2026

Tuesday’s Coverage: Russia’s Refined Oil Output Falls 10% Amid Kyiv’s Strikes

UPDATE 0802 GMT:

European Union governments are considering either former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi or former German Chancellor Angela Merkel as their representative in talks with Vladimir Putin, say “people briefed on the discussions“.

Other governments have proposed Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and his predecessor Sauli Niinistö.

Foreign ministers will discuss the possibility at an EU meeting in Cyprus next week after Kyiv supported Europe’s engagement amid stalled Ukraine-Russia-US talks.

The Trump Administration has informed EU governments that it is not opposed to Europe talking to Putin, said three of the sources.

On Sunday, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky posted, after telephone call with European Council President António Costa, “We both agree that Europe must be involved in the negotiations. It is important for it to have a strong voice and presence in this process, and it is worth determining who will represent Europe specifically.”

He followed up on Tuesday in a meeting with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, “We expect Europe to be strong, and for our part, we are doing everything to ensure that pan-European positions and interests are taken into account, just as Ukraine’s are.”

UPDATE 0712 GMT:

Air defenses downed 131 of 154 drones fired by Russia overnight. The other 23 and a ballistic missile hit 20 locations.

In Dnipro city, two civilians were murdered and six wounded, three seriously.

At least 11 people were injured across Ukraine.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: President Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed “changes in the dynamics on the frontline in Ukraine’s favor” over Russia’s 51-month full-scale invasion.

In his nightly video address to the nation, Zelensky noted, “We are holding more positions and inflicting more damage.” He said the impact of long-range strikes inside Russia has been “especially significant”, approving action plans for June.

Russia’s gradual gains on frontlines in eastern and southern Ukraine were halved in January and February. In March there was a virtual stalemate, and in April Ukraine — reclaiming territory in the Zaporizhzhia region in the south — made gains for the first time since 2023.

Meanwhile, the intensity and effect of Ukrainian strikes on facilities supporting the Russian invasion increased. They included attacks on refineries, ports, and terminals limiting Russian oil revenues.

Overnight Ukraine’s drones struck a refinery in the Nizhny Novgorod region, approximately 1,146 km (712 miles) from the border, and a chemical production facility.

Residents in the city of Kstovo reported the second set of strikes on the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez oil refinery in three days.

The refinery is one of the largest in Russia, with a processing capacity of around 17 million tons of oil annually.

The Nevinnomyssk Azot chemical plant was attacked in Stavropol Krai in southwest Russia. Also struck on May 16, the complex is one of Russia’s largest producers of mineral fertilizers and chemicals used in manufacturing explosives and artillery shells.

The Moscow Oil Refinery temporarily halted processing operations after Ukraine’s drone attacks last Sunday.

Two industry sources said the attack did not cause substantial damage to the facility, but owner Gazpromneft halted production to mitigate risks.