- Russia launched over 130 drones overnight despite ceasefire agreements
- Trump proposes oil export sanctions targeting Moscow's $320B energy sector
- 45% of Russian strikes hit civilian infrastructure in past week
- Eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region suffers heaviest artillery shelling
The Ukraine conflict enters its 37th month with intensifying cross-border strikes undermining US-mediated peace efforts. President Zelenskyy revealed Moscow's forces conducted attacks in seven regions within 24 hours, including a targeted assault on Kharkiv's power grid that left 12,000 residents without electricity. This escalation follows last week's fragile Black Sea security pact, which both sides now accuse each other of violating.
Industry analysts note Russia's Urals crude exports to China and India surged 18% year-over-year, complicating potential energy sanctions. The Center for European Policy Analysis estimates every $10/barrel oil price drop reduces Moscow's military budget by $15B annually. Trump's proposed secondary sanctions could impact 22% of global crude shipments if fully implemented.
Regional data from Sumy Oblast shows 83% of border villages sustained damage from Grad missile systems in March. A UN report documents 147 civilian casualties from cluster munitions in Mykolaiv last week - the deadliest single incident since February. Local officials report Russian forces now deploy 40% more Lancet kamikaze drones compared to 2024 levels.
Diplomatic sources confirm the White House seeks multinational consensus on three key measures: real-time SWIFT transaction monitoring, enhanced air defense deployments to Odessa, and blacklisting 14 Russian technology import channels. EU officials estimate these measures could reduce Moscow's artillery production capacity by 34% within six months.
