Ukraine war briefing: Russian oil hub of Tuapse hit for fourth time as environmental disaster mounts

Key Points:

• Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s Black Sea port of Tuapse for the fourth time in 16 days, targeting the seaport and refinery, causing fires, toxic black smoke, and oil spills that have severely damaged the local environment and beaches.
• Russian authorities are conducting major firefighting operations at Tuapse, having already cleared over 13,300 cubic meters of fuel oil and contaminated soil along the coast, with no casualties reported from the recent attacks.
• Russia launched nearly 410 drones in a daytime attack on Ukraine, injuring 10 people in Ternopil and causing damage to infrastructure and residential areas across multiple regions, while Ukrainian forces intercepted most of the drones.
• Ukraine plans to reform its army this summer to address infantry shortages and improve conditions, including higher pay and better support, aiming for systemic transformation amid ongoing conflict with Russia.
• Peruvian prosecutors are investigating a trafficking network that allegedly lured Peruvians with fake job offers in Russia and coerced them into fighting in the war against Ukraine, with at least 13 Peruvians reported killed in the conflict.