Ukraine war briefing: Drone strike sparks ‘massive’ fire at Russian oil refinery

WorldPolitics
30 Apr 2026 • 12:16 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Ukraine war briefing: Drone strike sparks ‘massive’ fire at Russian oil refinery

  • Russia is once again scaling back its annual Victory Day parade in Red Square, confirming no military equipment will be used this year, having previously been mocked for displaying only a solitary tank.
  • The UK is expelling a Russian diplomat and summoning ambassador Andrey Kelin, taking reciprocal action after Russia's "unjustified" decision to remove a British diplomat last month.
  • A Ukrainian drone strike sparked a "massive" fire at a Russian oil refinery in Tuapse, marking the third attack on the Black Sea port facility in less than two weeks.
  • Ukraine has accused Israel of allowing the import of grain it claims Russia stole from occupied territories, prompting a sharp exchange between officials in Kyiv and Jerusalem.
  • King Charles told Congress that the United States lies at "the heart" of Nato, in an apparent rebuke to Donald Trump's threats to leave the alliance.

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