Ukraine

Leaked recordings purportedly showed Hungary's Foreign Minister offering to send his Russian counterpart an?document on Ukraine's European Union membership, as the latest sign of Budapest's warm relationship with Moscow. The audio 'clips' released by a group of investigative news - outlets, including VSquare.org, were the latest of a series leaked conversations purporting to show that Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary has been working to serve Russian interests while undermining EU efforts to help Ukraine. Orban, who has ordered an investigation after Orban's previous statement that wiretapping his calls was "a huge scandal", was unable independently to verify the authenticity....

JD Vance, the U.S. vice president, slammed the European Union on Tuesday for its "disgraceful interference" in an election held in?Hungary. He also praised Prime Minister Viktor Orban in his role as an ally to Donald?Trump when it comes to the defence of Western civilization. Here are some key quotes from the joint press conference in Budapest. VANCE ON HUNGARIAN ELSECTION "What happened in this country and what happened during this election campaign is one of worst examples of foreign interference in elections that I have ever read or seen ..." "The bureaucrats at Brussels have tried to destroy Hungary's...

Two industry sources said that NORSI, Russia’s fourth largest oil refinery, suspended operations on April 5, following an attack by a Ukrainian drone. The temporary 'closure' of the refinery will increase the uncertainty in Russia's energy industry, which has already been hit by a series of Ukrainian attacks including those that have targeted its major oil-exporting terminals on the Black Sea or the Baltic Sea. Russian authorities announced on Sunday that a drone had attacked the NORSI oil refinery, causing it to catch fire. Gleb Nikitin said that two facilities at the plant had been hit, and a power station,...

Analysts at A95 Consulting Group reported late Monday that Ukraine's imports of diesel jumped 27% in March over February to a five-year-high of 577,000 tons, despite the difficulties associated with the war? in the Persian Gulf. After Russian missile attacks virtually destroyed Ukraine's refining capability, the country became?entirely reliant on imported fuel. It sourced supplies elsewhere in Europe. The consultancy stated in a report that "Importers operations in March were hindered by the effects of the war in the Middle East which made it extremely difficult to secure supplies." The report also stated that ORLEN, Poland's largest supplier, had suspended...

Yale University's research claims that the leading Russian state oil companies Rosneft, and Gazprom, supported wartime camps to which more than 2,000 Ukrainian youths were sent. They allegedly provided funds and facilitated transportation, and also provided funding. This led some U.S. legislators to call for sanctions against these two firms. Yale School of Public Health Humanitarian Research Lab (Yale HRL) published the findings last week. They provide the first definitive proof of the companies' involvement in the systematic Russian campaign of deportation of children and indoctrination. It said that with the support of two energy giants approximately 2,158 kids were...

Analysts do not expect a fuel shortage in Ukraine next month. After Russian missile strikes virtually destroyed Ukraine's refining capability, the country became almost completely dependent on fuel imported from Europe, particularly western, central, and southern Europe. Enkorr fuel consultancy in Kyiv said that the average daily diesel deliveries over a 'four-day period from 23 March 'to 26 March 'were 21,400 metric tonnes, up from 19,400 tons during the same time last week. The consultancy stated that if the current pace is maintained, imports in March could reach 565,000 tons. This would be 9% more than the 522,000 ton estimate...

A Russian official said on Thursday that a drone attack from Ukraine damaged an industrial area near one of Russia's largest?oil refineries. According to reports on Wednesday, at least 40% of Russia's capacity for oil exports has been halted following Ukrainian drone strikes, a disputed assault on a major pipe and the seizure or tankers. According to Alexander Drozdenko, more than 20 drones have been shot down in the northern Leningrad area. "The attack has been repelled in the Kirishi district." Drozdenko told Telegram that there was damage to the industrial area. Drozdenko ?did not specify what part of the...

German Economy Minister Katherina Riese stated on Friday that she could see both sides of the United States' decision to issue a 30-day waiver for purchases of Russian oil products. Reiche said at a press conference that he felt the domestic political pressure was very high in the United States. She stated that she is concerned with filling the war coffers of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but that the situation in South Korea, and Japan, are tense. "We have thankfully been spared these shortages," said?Reiche. She said that attacks on ships in Strait of Hormuz continue, and the International Energy...

The president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and 'Development, said 'on Thursday that the widening U.S. -Iran conflict is a threat... to economic growth. But the impact will depend on the length of the conflict. Odile Renaud Basso, EBRD President, said in an interview with the Istanbul press that conflict can "reduce risk capital" in the region. However, he added that the fallout has been contained so far - except for Lebanon. She said that the risk was on the downside. The EBRD estimated growth in the 41 countries that it covers as 3.6% this year, and 3.7% in...

Iraq's Oil Minister said that Chevron is in exclusive talks with Lukoil to take over the West Qurna 2 oilfield. Iraq is seeking to increase its oil and gas production. Oil majors are competing to expand their operations, after years of political insecurity. Hayan Abdel-Ghani, the Oil Minister of Iraq, told Kurdish TV Rudaw in an interview that production could increase to 750,000-800,000. bpd once Chevron took over operations. The U.S. The?U.S. Iraq, which is the second largest oil producer in the OPEC+ Group, comprising Organization?of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, including Russia, has plans to increase the...

Democrats in the Senate Banking Committee criticized President Donald Trump on Tuesday for not stepping up sanctions against Russia to force it to end the four-year war in Ukraine. They noted that the European Union had?designated nearly 900 targets by 2025, compared to only two?for?the?U.S. Democratic staff from the Republican-led panel released an analysis on the fourth anniversary. They identified hundreds of targets that Trump could have sanctioned during his first year as president. The war in Ukraine, Russia’s western neighbor, has caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and ravaged large areas of Ukraine. They said that...

Saudi-backed Midad Energy signed a termsheet?to purchase Russia's sanctioned Lukoil?assets?in a high stakes competition against rivals, including?private equity giant Carlyle Group. The deal is contingent upon U.S. regulator approval, according three people with knowledge of the matter. The Russian energy giant is continuing to try to sell off overseas assets that are restricted by Western sanctions. It also highlights the growing interest of Middle Eastern countries in purchasing discounted global oil and refinery assets. Sources said that the agreement was signed late in January and covered all the assets. Midad agreed that it would place its?all-cash offer? in escrow, while...

The head of Russia's nuclear energy corporation announced on Thursday that repair crews had restored the external line of the Russian-controlled?Zaporizhzhia nucleopower plant in southeast Ukraine, nearly a month after the facility was shut down. In a public statement, Alexei Likhachev, the director general of Rosatom said that repairs were completed on the Ferosplavna-1 power line, which connects the plant with the grid, late Thursday afternoon. He said that the repair work was completed "one day earlier than scheduled" at Europe's biggest nuclear plant with its six reactors. The plant was taken over by Russia shortly after the invasion of...

The company announced on Friday that ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine's largest steelmaker, is closing another division in Ukraine because of a 'deepening energy crises caused by Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine's energy system. Russia has stepped up its strikes against Ukraine's energy industry, targeting power plants and substations. This forced Kyiv into cutting off power to businesses, and increasing imports from Europe. The company, an ArcelorMittal SA subsidiary, announced in a press release that it will close its subsidiary Casting and Mechanical Plant. This plant is one of the largest enterprises in the country, and includes foundry equipment, thermal and...

A local ceasefire was declared near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southeast Ukraine on Friday, to allow repairs of an external power line. The plant is the largest in Europe. Under Russian Control Since shortly after the beginning of the war, in 2022. The plant does not produce electricity and relies on outside power to maintain its nuclear material cool in order to avoid a catastrophic incident. Russia and Ukraine accuse each other frequently of putting the safety of the plant at risk by staging attacks near it. Last year, a similar 'local truce' was established when the power...

The U.N. nuclear watchdog reported on Thursday that the Russian-owned Zaporizhzhia?power station in southeast Ukraine was operating 'on its only remaining outside powerline after losing a backup line a little more than a week ago. Rafael Grossi said in a statement that the Ferrosplavna-1 electrical line was shut down on 10 February "apparently as a result" of military activity. He said that the plant, which is?Europe's biggest with six reactors?, now operates with only outside power?from Dniprovska, he added. The plant was captured by Russian forces in the first few weeks of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. It does not generate...

In an interview published on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov?said any new U.S. attack on Iran would have serious consequences. He called for restraint in order to find a solution that will allow Iran to pursue a peaceful nuclear programme. Lavrov's interview with Saudi Arabia's Al-Arabiya TV was broadcast a day after U.S. negotiators and Iranian negotiators met in Geneva for indirect talks to avert a new crisis between Washington, D.C. and Tehran. "The consequences of this are bad." Already, there have been attacks on Iran's nuclear sites under the control the International Atomic Energy Agency. Lavrov stated in...

Rosatom, the state-owned nuclear corporation of Russia, rejected on Thursday a Ukrainian claim that Russia did not have the necessary equipment or components to operate the nuclear power station built by the Soviets in Zaaporizhzhia. In?2022, Russia assumed control of Europe's largest nuclear power plant from Ukraine. Currently, all six of the?VVER 1000 pressurised-water reactors designed by the Soviet Union are in a state known as "cold shut down". Both Moscow and Kyiv want to run the plant, which is a major issue in negotiations on ending war. Pavlo Kovtoniuk is the head of Ukrainian nuclear company Energoatom. He told...

Denys Shmyhal, Minister of Energy in Ukraine, said that senior Ukrainian officials agreed on Wednesday to increase air defence capabilities around the capital Kyiv. This is to counter any possible future Russian air attacks against energy infrastructure. The 'fresh' preparations follow the attacks in Kyiv, where officials are scrambling to repair damages to heating and electricity networks that has left thousands of people in darkness and cold. "Most information will not be made public." In the context of?potential further Russian attacks?, we discussed strengthening Kyiv?s active air defense, especially for?energy facilities?, Shmyhal wrote after a military staff meeting on Telegram....

Ukraine's Energy Minister warned Ukrainian households on Wednesday of the possibility that blackouts planned for the coming days could become worse and Russian forces may?launch another air attack in order to further disable power networks and heating systems. Denys Shmyhal reported that more than 200 "emergency" crews were working in the capital to restore heating in apartment buildings following a series mass Russian attacks on January. Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, said that over 1,100 buildings were still without heat on Tuesday. "The energy situation remains very difficult." "There is a danger that the timetables for electricity cuts could...

Analyst ExPro reported on Monday that Ukraine's imports of electricity jumped by 40% between December 2025 and January 2026, to a new record?894 Gigawatt Hours. This was due to the constant Russian attacks against Ukraine's energy system. This is the highest amount of imports during the full-scale war. Hungary still accounts for the biggest share, 45%. The consultancy reported that overall, the supply increased in all directions except Moldova. Russia's attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector have intensified in recent months. Power stations, energy distribution systems, and gas sector installations are all being targeted. consecutive attacks On the generating and thermo...

ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih is Ukraine's biggest steelmaker. It announced on Monday that it will close one production unit?in the 2nd quarter. The company cited EU environmental policies and high local power prices due to Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. The plant in Ukraine's south-east, approximately 70 km from the frontline, will close its blooming mill. This mill produces?billets to be used by the small-gauge mills and wire mills of the enterprise. The company stated that the introduction of the Carbon Border adjustment Mechanism by the European Union on?January 1, effectively closed the market for a significant part of Ukrainian metallurgical...

The European Union has sent emergency generators to Ukraine. They claim that a million Ukrainians are without heat and power due to Russian bombings. Meanwhile, France is planning to issue a call for international help to assist Ukrainians who have been exposed to extreme temperatures. Since Russia intensified its attacks on Ukraine's power grid during a recent cold snap, which reached temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius (4 F), electrical engineers have worked around the clock under hazardous conditions. In a statement issued on Friday, the?European Commission announced that it would send 447 generators for 3.7 million euro...

Russia intensified its attacks against Ukraine's energy systems, which rely almost exclusively on electricity generated by nuclear power stations and have already lost half their generating capacity. What do nuclear power plants mean for Ukraine? According to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Russia plans to strike substations which?supply consumers with nuclear energy? and plunge the country into complete blackout. Ukraine operates three nuclear plants with a combined capacity of 7.7 gigawatts. The largest nuclear power plant in Europe, Zaporizhzhia, is currently occupied by Russia. Currently, the country is experiencing a 10 gigawatt deficit, which can only be partially offset by imports. This...