Kiev [Russia], March 11: Russian forces continue to regain control of areas in the Kursk region, while Ukraine launches drone attacks on a major Russian oil refinery in the Samara region.
The Kyiv Independent on March 10 quoted a source from the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service (HUR) as saying that the agency's unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) attacked the Novokuybyshevsk oil refinery in Russia's Samara region.
Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, said the refinery's capacity is up to 8.8 million tons/year, making it one of the 10 largest refineries in Russia.
The plant produces gasoline, diesel and fuel oil, "which are extremely important items for transportation and military equipment," the official added.
The HUR source said the plant had jet fuel used by supersonic aircraft such as Su-27 fighters and Tu-22 bombers. The plant was attacked at around 2:00 a.m. on March 10.
Novokuybyshevsk, located about 900 km from the front line in Ukraine, was previously attacked at least twice in March 2024.
" This refinery is of strategic importance for the Russian military as it ensures a stable supply of fuel for military operations," Kovalenko said.
Russia's RBC reported a fire in a 1,500 square meter warehouse in Novokuybyshevsk, but did not mention the UAV attack.
The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces shot down nine Ukrainian UAVs overnight, including three in the Samara region and the rest in the Voronezh, Oryol, Belgorod and Kursk regions.
Ukraine strengthens air defense
Ukraine has signed a memorandum of understanding with German defense manufacturer Diehl Defense to triple the supply of IRIS-T air and missile defense systems, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on March 9.
The deal comes as Ukraine faces increased Russian air attacks, including a drone attack on February 23. "The signed agreement paves the way for major industrial projects that will strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities," Umerov wrote on Facebook.
IRIS-T is a modern surface-to-air missile system capable of countering aircraft, helicopters, UAVs and cruise missiles.
Germany is the main supplier of the system, with outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announcing an order for 17 additional IRIS-T systems for Ukraine last September.
In late December, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had received the sixth German IRIS-T system.
Russia recaptures 32 areas in Kursk
TASS news agency on March 10 cited reports from the Russian Defense Ministry estimating that Russian forces had regained control of 32 settlements in the Kursk region since September 6, 2024, when Ukraine attacked the region.
On March 8 and 9 alone, the Russian Northern Combat Group regained control of seven settlements, including Malaya Loknya, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, Kositsa, Lebedevka, Viktorovka, Nikolayevka and Staraya Sorochina.
In February, Russian troops regained control of five regions: Pogrebki, Orlovka, Nikolsky, Novaya Sorochina and Sverdlikovo.
It is estimated that Ukraine controls 1,268 km2 in Kursk and Russia has regained 63.2% as of January 17.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian military commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk are not at risk of being surrounded, despite Russia's counterattack.
Speaking while visiting the war zone, he said the situation was "under control", according to Reuters. "I have taken the decision on the spot to increase the necessary forces and means, including electronic warfare and unmanned equipment," he said.
Russia expels two British diplomats
Russia has accused two British diplomats of spying and ordered them to leave the country within two weeks, Reuters reported on March 10.
Russia's Federal Security Service said the two diplomats had provided false information when applying for permission to enter Russia and had "identified signs of intelligence and sabotage activities" that they had carried out, harming Russia's security.
The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned a representative of the British Embassy over the expulsion.
The British Embassy has dismissed the allegations as "completely unfounded," an embassy spokesman told Meduza news agency. Meanwhile, commenting on the incident, the Kremlin said Russian intelligence services were "doing everything necessary."
Speaking about relations with the US, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on March 10 that Russia and the US are at the beginning of a long and difficult road to restoring relations, but Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump have shown the political will to move forward.
In addition, Mr. Peskov also said it was important to determine whether Ukraine , which is scheduled to hold high-level diplomatic talks with the US in Saudi Arabia on March 11, is interested in peace . President Zelensky left for Saudi Arabia on March 10 to attend the above dialogue.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper