Ukraine deepens long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and logistics
The FRANCE 24 segment opens with Zelensky's confirmed visit to the Oleksandrivka front line where he awarded medals, noting the front's stabilization amid drone-dominated warfare. It then covers CIA Director John Ratcliffe's secret Moscow visit for intelligence contacts (no Putin meeting), quoting Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. The bulk is an interview with Peter Zalmayev in Kyiv discussing Ukraine's 2026 long-range drone campaign against Russian oil refineries, logistics hubs like Wildberries and Ozon, and its economic effects including fuel shortages and imports. Zalmayev argues the strikes raise war costs for Russia, increase societal tensions visible on state TV, and are justified retaliation. Host and guest speculate the CIA visit likely concerned Russian aid to Iran rather than Ukraine ceasefire talks ahead of US elections. The segment references analyst Mark Galeotti's criticism of Ukrainian strikes on civilian infrastructure.
Source: FRANCE 24 English