Russia Strikes Ukraine's Largest Oil Refinery in Poltava

Russian forces launched a major overnight strike on June 15 targeting the Kremenchuk oil refinery in Ukraine’s central Poltava region, using a combination of drones, cruise missiles, and hypersonic missiles. The refinery, a crucial fuel supplier for Ukrainian military units in the Donbas region, suffered severe damage, igniting a large fire that has completely paralyzed its operations. Both Russia’s Defense Ministry and Ukrainian officials confirmed the attack, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizing the need for stronger sanctions and enhanced defense capabilities against Russia. The strike is considered the most massive on this vital energy infrastructure since the conflict began, underscoring Ukraine’s ongoing vulnerability. Ukrainian air defenses reportedly downed a significant number of incoming drones and missiles during the attack, while fighting continues in the Donbas and Sumy regions, with both sides claiming territorial advances. The conflict remains intense, with Ukraine striving to reclaim territory and Russia continuing its military campaign.