Ukraine hit 500 drones, missiles, Russia exploits war
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- Zelensky said Russia will try to exploit the war in the Middle East to cause even greater destruction in Europe and Ukraine.
- Russia launched about 500 drones and missiles, including 430 drones and 68 missiles, in an overnight aerial bombardment that killed at least five people and damaged energy infrastructure, schools, and civilian businesses.
- Kyiv region was the main target, with four deaths and many injuries, while a nearby residential area near Zaporizhzhia suffered one fatality and 18 injuries.
- Air‑defence systems are being rapidly expended in the Middle East as US‑aligned Gulf states counter Iranian attacks, prompting Zelensky to call for more supplies for Ukraine.
- Oil price rose to around $100 a barrel after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, leading the Trump administration to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian oil already loaded onto vessels.
- US‑led peace talks to end the Ukraine war have been derailed by the conflict with Iran, according to Zelensky.
Why it matters: Ukraine's defence is strained as Iranian‑linked air‑defence missiles are drained in the Middle East, forcing Kyiv to demand urgent weapon deliveries, while the $100‑a‑barrel oil price and temporary U.S. sanction relief boost Russia’s war‑economy. The shift deepens Kyiv’s vulnerability and benefits Moscow financially.
