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The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has escalated with both sides unleashing hundreds of explosive-packed drones, resulting in casualties and damage to critical infrastructure. Ukraine claims to have successfully targeted Russian naval assets, including a cruise missile carrier and several oil tankers involved in transporting sanctioned oil. These strikes, particularly on Russia's oil export terminals, aim to cripple Moscow's economy, which heavily relies on energy revenues to fund its war effort. President Zelenskyy has warned of further retaliatory strikes on Russian energy sites if the invasion persists, signaling a determination to inflict economic pain on Moscow. The Daily Star's reporting highlights the daily reality of this drone warfare, a grim testament to the war's intractable nature and the lack of progress in peace talks. For Ukraine, these attacks are framed as a necessary response to Russia's relentless barrages on its cities and infrastructure, a fight for survival and sovereignty.

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Ukraine yesterday said it had hit several Russian ships -- a cruise missile carrier and three shadow fleet tankers -- as both sides fired hundreds of drones in a spree that killed at least five people.

From a Ukrainian perspective, these strikes are not merely tactical but a strategic imperative. Targeting Russia's oil exports directly impacts its ability to finance the war, demonstrating Kyiv's resolve to bring the conflict to a costly end for Moscow. The use of naval drones against vessels in Russian ports, like Primorsk and Novorossiysk, showcases Ukraine's growing capability to project force beyond its immediate borders. This defiance is crucial for maintaining national morale and signaling to international partners that Ukraine is actively fighting back, not just defending but also imposing costs on the aggressor. The narrative here is one of resilience and innovation in the face of overwhelming force, emphasizing the asymmetric nature of this conflict where ingenuity and determination can challenge a larger adversary.

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The two neighbours have been firing hundreds of explosive-packed drones at each other on a daily basis throughout the four-year war, as talks to end the conflict have gone nowhere.

Conversely, the Russian narrative, though not detailed in this specific report, would likely frame these Ukrainian actions as unprovoked terrorism, justifying its own military actions as defensive or retaliatory. The international media often focuses on the immediate destruction and casualties, but from Kyiv's standpoint, this is a fight for national existence. The attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are presented as a legitimate response to the invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territory. The Daily Star's coverage, by detailing Ukraine's claims and Zelenskyy's statements, reflects a perspective sympathetic to Ukraine's struggle, framing its actions as justified retaliation rather than unprovoked aggression. This framing is essential for understanding the local context and the Ukrainian public's perception of these ongoing hostilities.

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Ukraine yesterday said it had hit several Russian ships -- a cruise missile carrier and three shadow fleet tankers -- as both sides fired hundreds of drones in a spree that killed at least five people.