Putin is now calling for a ceasefire ahead of his May 9 parade — but on the ground, the war is moving in the opposite direction and Ukraine has no intention of halting their ongoing destruction of the russian oil industry.
Ukraine is rapidly expanding its deep-strike campaign against Russia’s oil industry, with new hits reported in the Perm region — thousands of kilometers from the front. Refineries, storage facilities, and pipeline infrastructure are being systematically targeted, raising serious questions about the stability of Russia’s energy sector.
At the same time, Ukrainian naval drones have struck Russian vessels guarding the Kerch Bridge, signaling a potential escalation around one of Moscow’s most sensitive assets.
Inside Russia, the response is becoming increasingly chaotic. Authorities are reportedly pressuring businesses to help defend against drone attacks, while new recruitment campaigns show just how strained the military system has become.
Internationally, pressure is also building. Sweden has moved to seize a vessel linked to the незаконний export of Ukrainian grain, while in Washington, previously blocked military aid is now back in motion after public scrutiny.
Zelensky has dismissed the idea of a temporary ceasefire, warning that it would serve only as cover for Russia’s symbolic May 9 display.
As strikes go deeper, defenses weaken, and economic pressure mounts, the situation inside Russia is beginning to shift — and the consequences are only starting to unfold.
