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Ukrainian drones have targeted Russia's Bashneft refinery in the city of Ufa, situated some 1,400 km from the Ukrainian border, causing explosions and a fire, according to a source in Ukraine's intelligence agency.

This marks the latest Ukrainian security service deep strike in the region in the recent weeks. Those operations show that there are no secure zones in the far hinterland of the Russian state.

Zelenskyy Calls On Trump to Mediate Ceasefire in Ukraine

The Ukrainian leader appealed to Donald Trump to mediate a ceasefire in Ukraine over a phone call on the weekend.

"If a hostilities can be stopped in a particular zone, then undoubtedly other wars can be stopped as well, encompassing the conflict with Russia," he stated, praising the US President's "exceptional" Middle East peace initiative and calling for the President to influence the Russian government into negotiations.

Moscow's Attacks Claim Lives in the Country

Moscow's assaults on Ukrainian territory killed at least five people on Saturday and cut power to parts of the south Odesa area, as stated by local sources.

Two civilians lost their lives within a religious building in the town when it was targeted, as reported by local authorities.

In Russia's frontier area of Belgorod, a truck driver was killed by a Ukrainian strike, per local officials.

Electricity Restoration Work in Kyiv

Work carried on on Saturday to repair energy infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital, after assaults.

Electricity had been restored to more than 800,000 inhabitants by the weekend and the biggest utility provider stated the main operations to recover electricity was complete though partial blackouts persisted.

Anti-Aircraft Operations and UAV Interceptions

The Ukrainian anti-aircraft systems intercepted or jammed 54 out of 78 enemy drones sent targeting Ukraine overnight, the military announced on the weekend.

Russia's defense officials stated it shot down 42 Ukrainian drones over the country's airspace.

Cuban Government Refutes Accusations of Sending Soldiers to Ukraine

The Cuban government on the weekend refuted US assertions it has sent soldiers to engage in the hostilities, while stating the government "lack exact details about citizens of Cuba" involved "independently" or "within the troops of the conflicting parties".

The foreign ministry in Havana stated 26 Cuban citizens had been sentenced to incarceration from five up to fourteen years for participating as mercenaries since the autumn of 2023 when news circulated of individuals being dispatched to the battlefield in the conflict.

Surrender Initiative Program Reveals Details on Cuban Involvement

The program, a official Kyiv program that promotes enemy combatants to lay down arms, said in May: "Our information indicates the personal data of one thousand and twenty-eight Cuban nationals who entered into agreements with the Moscow's troops in 2023-2024."

The government in Havana said of Cubans who might be participating: "Undeniably that not a single one has the support, commitment, or consent of the Cuban state for their activities."

Kin of Cubans who traveled to Russia in the year told news outlets at the time that their loved ones had been misled into enlisting through advertisements on social media.