Ukraine War Updates: Air Strike Ignites Russian Oil Depot; China to Skip Swiss Peace Talks

A Ukrainian air strike has caused a significant fire at an oil depot in southern Russia, injuring two people. The incident occurred in the Temryuk district of the Krasnodar region, and local officials reported that the fire has been extinguished.

In Ukraine, Russian missile attacks in the northeastern Kharkiv region have resulted in the deaths of five people and injuries to 24 others. Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the region, described the attacks, which hit several residential and administrative buildings, as a “difficult night for Kharkiv.”

China has declined an invitation to attend a peace conference for Ukraine, scheduled to be held in Switzerland next month. According to Reuters, China cited unmet conditions as the reason for their absence. The conference, set for June 15-16, aims to establish a path to lasting peace in Ukraine, though Russia has not been invited.

In Kyiv, a Russian missile attack early Friday caused a fire in the Holosiivskyi district. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, according to Serhiy Popko, the head of the city’s military administration.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has called for a reassessment of restrictions on weapons sent to Ukraine. He stressed the need to lift some restrictions to enhance Ukraine’s ability to defend itself as the war continues.

In a related development, Sri Lanka plans to tighten controls to prevent its citizens from being misled into fighting in Ukraine with false promises of salaries and benefits.

The country will send a delegation to Moscow in June to bring back Sri Lankans who want to return home, including those injured in the conflict. This follows concerns from several countries about their citizens being recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine.