Ukrainian forces attack occupied Crimea with missiles, Russia claims

In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines how the new war in the Middle East could strengthen Russia's ability to keep financing its invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian defense forces hit the 59N6-E "Protivnik" and 73E6 "Parol" radar stations near the village of Liubknekhivka in temporarily occupied Crimea.

The sanctioned athletes took part in Russia’s invasion and used sporting events to justify Moscow’s aggression and whitewash its crimes and occupation, according to the President’s Office.

Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russia launched 97 drones overnight, including Shahed-type attack drones. Air defenses shot down or suppressed 90 of them. Five drones struck five locations, while debris from downed drones fell in two locations.

The number includes 740 casualties Russian forces suffered over the past day.

U.S. President Donald Trump told NBC News on March 14 that oil sanctions temporarily lifted against Russia will "go back as soon as the crisis is over," as the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran continues into its third week.

Ukrainian forces reportedly struck the Tikhoretsk oil pumping station in Russia's Krasnodar Krai overnight on March 15, Russian Telegram media channels reported.

The claim appears to conflict with President Volodymyr Zelensky's earlier statement that Kyiv agreed to Washington's request for assistance in protecting U.S. military bases in Jordan.

Two people who were trapped beneath the rubble have been rescued by emergency workers. A 17-year-old boy was injured and is in serious condition following the attack, which destroyed several homes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested to hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky on the topic of Ukrainian interceptor drones as the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran continues into its third week, Israeli media publication Ynet reported on March 14.

Tokyo is considering signing an arms transfer agreement to acquire Ukrainian-made drones from Kyiv, as Japan seeks to strengthen its drone defense capabilities, Kyodo News reported on March 14.

The Russian Defense Ministry also claimed that nearly 300 Ukrainian drones had been shot down across the country over a 10-hour span.

"The Iranian regime has been supporting the murder of Ukrainians for years, by directly sharing drones and technology for Russian aggression against Ukraine," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said in a statement to the media.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry and state energy giant Naftogaz briefed diplomats from 31 countries, including Hungary, about the extent of the damage to the pipeline.

Greek Maritime Minister Vassilis Kikilias said he believed the strike may be connected to the U.S. decision to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian oil.