EU considers new sanctions on Russia, Ukrainian forces strike Tuapse oil refinery - Wednesday brief
RBC-Ukraine collage
The European Union may impose a new package of sanctions against Russia on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian occupiers. Meanwhile, Ukrainian soldiers have struck the Tuapse oil refinery.
For more details on what happened on Wednesday, December 31, see the report on RBC-Ukraine.
EU plans 20th sanctions package against Russia by invasion anniversary
Ambassadors of the European Union plan to adopt a 20th package of sanctions against Russia by the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
According to the media outlet, the sanctions are intended to further punish Moscow for its aggressive war against Ukraine and to weaken the Russian economy further.
Russia launched over 100,000 drones at Ukraine in one year
In 2025, Russia launched more than 60,000 guided aerial bombs, around 2,400 missiles of various types, and over 100,000 drones at Ukraine.
According to the report, air raid alerts sounded in Ukraine at least 19,033 times in 2025. The highest number was recorded in the Kharkiv region, with 2,020 alerts over the year.
Ukraine talks enter critical phase ahead of New Year, US official says
The US believes that on the eve of the New Year, negotiations to end the Russian-Ukrainian war have entered a critical phase, according to US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker.
The US Ambassador to NATO adds that Trump could test whether a peace agreement between the parties is possible.
General Staff confirms strikes on Russia, including Tuapse refinery and oil terminal
On the night of Wednesday, December 31, Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck the Tuapse oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai. In addition, the Tamanneftegaz oil and gas terminal, a strategic reserve fuel depot, and Russian ammunition warehouses were also targeted.
"Strikes by attack drones hit the refinery territory, causing subsequent fires. The primary oil processing unit (ELU-AVT-12) and complex deep-processing installations were damaged," the statement said.
Ukrainian drones strike large Russian reserve oil storage in Yaroslavl region, sources
Long-range drones from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Alpha special operations center struck the Temp oil depot in Rybinsk, Yaroslavl region of Russia. The attack was carried out on the morning of December 31.
According to sources in the Security Service of Ukraine, this oil depot is part of the Russian reserve system and is designed to store large volumes of fuel.
