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Ukraine's drones have hit Russia's Bashneft processing plant in the city of Ufa, positioned some 1,400 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, triggering explosions and a fire, according to a insider in the Ukrainian Security Service.

This constitutes the latest SBU long-range attack in Bashkortostan in the recent weeks. These attacks demonstrate that there are no protected areas in the far hinterland of the Russian Federation.

Ukrainian President Calls On Trump to Facilitate Peace in Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to President Trump to facilitate a truce in Ukraine over a phone call on Saturday.

"Provided that a conflict can be stopped in a particular zone, then undoubtedly other wars can be stopped as well, encompassing the Russian aggression," he remarked, praising the US President's "remarkable" Gaza ceasefire plan and urging the American leader to influence the Moscow into negotiations.

Moscow's Attacks Claim Victims in Ukraine

Russian attacks on Ukraine claimed the lives of several civilians on the weekend and cut power to sections of Ukraine's south Odesa oblast, per Ukrainian officials.

Two civilians lost their lives inside a place of worship in Kostyantynivka when it was targeted, according to regional officials.

In Russia's adjacent territory of Belgorod, a lorry operator was fatally wounded by a attack from Ukraine, according to local officials.

Energy Restoration Operations in the Capital

Efforts proceeded on the weekend to repair energy infrastructure in Kyiv, after assaults.

Energy had been returned to in excess of 800,000 inhabitants by Saturday and the major utility provider said the key work to repair the grid was concluded though partial blackouts persisted.

Air Defence Operations and UAV Downings

The Ukrainian anti-aircraft systems neutralized 54 out of 78 Russian drones launched towards the country in the dark hours, the air force said on Saturday.

Russia's defence ministry claimed it eliminated 42 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory.

Cuban Government Denies Claims of Providing Soldiers to the War

Havana on Saturday rejected American allegations it has sent military personnel to fight in the Ukraine war, while declaring officials in Havana "are without exact details about citizens of Cuba" participating "independently" or "within the troops of the conflicting parties".

The ministry in Havana stated 26 Cubans had been convicted to incarceration varying between five to 14 years for participating as mercenaries since the autumn of 2023 when reports emerged of Cuban nationals being dispatched to the battlefield in the conflict.

Surrender Initiative Project Reveals Details on Cuban National Recruitment

The surrender initiative, a state project that encourages enemy combatants to lay down arms, said in spring: "We have confirmed the names and personal details of over a thousand individuals who enlisted with the Moscow's troops in the past two years."

The government in Havana commented of Cubans who might be engaged: "Undeniably that not a single one have the support, allegiance, or approval of the Cuban state for their activities."

Kin of Cuban nationals who left for Russia in the year told Agence France-Presse at the time that their loved ones had been misled into enlisting through promotions on online platforms.