KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s military claimed it struck a major oil terminal Monday in Crimea that provides fuel for Russia’s war effort as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the war has entered a key phase.
Both sides are facing the issue of how to sustain their costly war of attrition — a conflict that started with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and that shows no signs of a resolution.
Ukraine’s General Staff said on social media that the oil terminal in Feodosia, on the south coast of the Russia-occupied Crimea Peninsula, has been supplying the Russian army with fuel and that the strike was part of an ongoing effort to “undermine the military and economic potential of the Russian Federation.”
Russian-installed authorities in the city of Feodosia on the coast of the Black Sea reported a fire at the terminal on Monday morning but did not say what might have caused it.
Ukraine has increasingly targeted rear areas that are essential for Russia’s onslaught, now deep into its third year. It has developed long-range drones that have hit oil depots and refineries as well as armories.
Ukraine's aim is to impair Russia’s ability to support its front-line units, especially in the eastern Donetsk region where the main Russian battlefield effort is stretching weary Ukrainian forces.
Kyiv is still awaiting word from its Western partners on its repeated requests to use the long-range weapons they provide to hit targets on Russian soil.
Developments on that question could come next weekend at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, when defense leaders from the 50-plus partner nations that coordinate military aid to Ukraine are due to meet.
The conflict has largely been a war of attrition, which requires large amounts of ammunition. Late on Sunday, Zelenskyy said the war is in “a very important phase” as the Ukrainian army works hard to hold the bigger Russian forces at bay in the east while also holding ground in Russia’s Kursk border region, which it captured two months ago.
Ukraine needs to “put pressure on Russia in the way that’s necessary for Russia to realize that the war will gain them nothing," Zelenskyy said in a video statement.
“We will continue to apply even greater pressure on Russia — because only through strength can we bring peace closer,” he added.
Meanwhile, Russia fired six missiles of various types and 74 Shahed drones at Ukraine overnight, Ukraine’s air force said.
Missile debris fell in three districts of Kyiv, causing minor damage to civilian infrastructure and starting a fire, Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said. He said nobody was hurt. Three missile fragments fell on a kindergarten, he said without elaborating.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it shot down almost two dozen Ukrainian drones overnight.
Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, a Russian Army "Grad" self-propelled 122 mm multiple rocket launcher fires rockets toward Ukrainian position at an undisclosed location. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP)
In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, a Russian Army "Grad" self-propelled 122 mm multiple rocket launcher fires rockets toward Ukrainian position at an undisclosed location. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP)
NEW DELHI (AP) — India stepped up its development assistance to the Maldives after the two leaders held talks in New Delhi on Monday in a bid to repair strained ties that saw the president of the Indian Ocean archipelago forging closer relations with China.
After the talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India will offer financial support to the cash-strapped Maldives in form of a $100-million treasury bills rollover. The countries also signed a $400-million currency swap agreement.
The two leaders virtually inaugurated a new international airport in the Maldives, and Modi announced that work will be accelerated on the India-assisted Greater Male Connectivity Project, which aims to link key islands of the Maldives through modern transport networks.
“India is Maldives’ nearest neighbour and a close friend,” Modi said during a joint news conference. He said the Maldives held an important position in India's “neighbourhood first policy.”
Tensions between India and the Maldives have grown since President Mohamed Muizzu, who favors closer ties with China, was elected last year after defeating India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Leading up to the election, Muizzu had promised to expel Indian soldiers deployed in the Maldives to help with humanitarian assistance. In May, New Delhi replaced dozens of its soldiers with civilian experts.
In January, Maldivian leaders lashed out at Modi for promoting India’s Lakshadweep archipelago for Indian travelers. Lakshadweep is off the southwestern coast of the Indian mainland.
Maldivians saw the move as a way to lure Indian tourists away from their country. It sparked angry protests from Indian celebrities who called for a tourism boycott to the Maldives. Tourism is the mainstay of the Maldives’ economy.
The dispute deepened when Muizzu visited China ahead of India in January, a move seen by New Delhi as a snub. On his return, Muizzu spelled out plans to rid his tiny nation of dependence on India for health facilities, medicines and import of staples.
A thaw ensued after Muizzu attended Modi’s June swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi for a third five-year term. Since then, Muizzu has toned down his anti-Indian rhetoric, and official-level contacts have intensified with New Delhi as concerns rose that the Maldives could be staring at an economic crisis.
“India is a key partner in the socio-economic and infrastructure development of the Maldives and has stood by the Maldives during our times of need,” Muizzu said after the meeting. He said the currency swap agreement “will be instrumental in addressing the foreign exchange issues we are facing right now.”
Muizzu will also hold meetings with senior Indian officials during his five-day visit.
Regional powers India and China compete for influence in the archipelago nation, which is strategically located in the Indian Ocean.
For decades, India has been a critical provider of development assistance to the Maldives. Meanwhile, the Maldives joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative to build ports and highways and expand trade as well as China’s influence across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Muizzu’s visit is essential for Modi, who is facing a challenging time in neighborhood diplomacy with Marxist politician Anura Kumara Dissanayake taking over as Sri Lanka’s president and India-friendly Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing to India in August after being forced to resign by students-led protests. Nepal also elected pro-China K.P. Sharma Oli as its prime minister.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu along with First Lady of Maldives Sajidha Mohamed pay tributes at Rajghat, a Mahatma Gandhi memorial, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, walks with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu before their delegation level meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo)
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu , second from left, along with First Lady of Maldives Sajidha Mohamed left, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Indian President Droupadi Murmu, second from right stand during a ceremonial reception for Muizzu at the Indian presidential palace, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu shake hands before their delegation level meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.(AP Photo)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, shakes hand with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, second from left, as Indian President Droupadi Murmu, second from right, shakes hand with First Lady of Maldives Sajidha Mohamed during a ceremonial reception for Muizzu at the Indian presidential palace, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, walks with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu before their delegation level meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, walks with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu before their delegation level meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.(AP Photo)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, along with Indian President Droupadi Murmu, left, greets Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, second from right, and First Lady of Maldives Sajidha Mohamed during a ceremonial reception for Muizzu at the Indian presidential palace, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.(AP Photo)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu shake hands before their delegation level meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo)
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, second from left, along with with First Lady of Maldives Sajidha Mohamed left, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Indian President Droupadi Murmu, second from right stand walk during a ceremonial reception for Muizzu at the Indian presidential palace, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo)
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu , second from left, along with with First Lady of Maldives Sajidha Mohamed left, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Indian President Droupadi Murmu, second from right stand during a ceremonial reception for Muizzu at the Indian presidential palace, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo)
