Russia escalates spring offensive as Ukraine targets Russian oil infrastructure

Russia unleashed a record‑breaking aerial bombardment on Ukraine , firing nearly 950 drones over 24 hours alongside cruise and ballistic missiles in one of the largest sustained attacks since its full‑scale invasion began more than four years ago. The barrage struck cities across the country, killed civilians, damaged critical infrastructure and underscored what many analysts say is the start of Moscow’s spring offensive .

Ukraine’s air force said around 392 drones were detected on Monday night and 556 more by Tuesday evening, with most intercepted but enough getting through to cause casualties and infrastructure damage across Kyiv, Lviv, Chernihiv and Sumy. Historic sites, including a 16th‑century monastery in Lviv , were among the damaged buildings. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes and pressed Western allies for more air‑defence systems, particularly U.S.‑made Patriot missiles, as Kyiv faces dwindling stocks.

On the ground, Russian forces have increased pressure along key sectors of the eastern frontline, especially near Sloviansk and in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, though Ukrainian commanders say advances remain limited. Ukraine has leveraged advanced drone and mid‑range strike capabilities to disrupt Russian logistics and regain small pockets of territory.

Beyond the battlefield, the conflict’s energy dimensions have deepened . Moldova declared a 60‑day state of emergency in its energy sector after a key power line from Romania through Ukraine was severed by Russian strikes. In Budapest, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced that Hungary would gradually cut natural gas deliveries to Ukraine until Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline resume , accusing Kyiv of blocking the transit, a claim Ukraine rejects. Budapest has also blocked a €90 billion EU aid package for Ukraine and additional sanctions on Russia, further straining relations with Kyiv and Brussels.

Ukraine has also expanded its offensive into Russia’s energy infrastructure , using drones to strike oil facilities and pumping stations deep inside Russian territory, part of a broader effort to weaken Moscow’s war economy by targeting revenues from oil and fuel exports.

The conflict’s broader geopolitical context is shifting as U.S. focus partially shifts toward the war in the Middle East , which has contributed to stalled peace negotiations and increased pressure on Ukraine as global attention and resources are stretched.