Russia reports capturing 6 more settlements, Ukraine says it struck Russian oil refinery

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday that its forces had seized six more settlements in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, while Ukraine claimed the same day that its forces had attacked a Russian oil refinery.

In its latest report, the ministry said that over the past 24 hours, Russian forces had taken control of four settlements in the Donetsk region and two in the Zaporizhzhia region. It added that Russian forces struck energy facilities serving Ukraine's military-industrial enterprises and that the country's air defense systems shot down 370 Ukrainian drones.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a report issued at 20:00 Sunday that over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces had carried out strikes on Russian targets, including assembly areas and command posts. It added that Ukrainian troops had repelled Russian offensives in the Slobozhansk, Kupyansk and Liman directions.

A total of 103 battles had taken place on the frontlines in six directions as of Sunday afternoon, according to the Ukrainian side.

The Ukrainian forces said they launched an attack on the Syzran oil refinery in Russia's Samara region early in the morning, sparking a fire.

In addition, the Ukrainian army struck other Russian targets, including a storage and maintenance facility for uncrewed boats, ferry crossings, and a site for UAV storage.

Russia reports capturing 6 more settlements, Ukraine says it struck Russian oil refinery

Russia reports capturing 6 more settlements, Ukraine says it struck Russian oil refinery

A winter storm is expected to bring snow, strong winds, and rainfall to the Midwest and Northeast parts of the United States over the coming days, affecting more than 40 million people, according to U.S. media reports on Sunday.

As of midday Sunday, the storm had already disrupted air travel nationwide, with more than 3,500 flights delayed and over 400 canceled.

The heaviest snowfall is expected in the Midwest. Blizzard warnings have been issued across North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and parts of Michigan. In some areas of Michigan, snowfall totals could reach as much as 61 centimeters. Cities including Minneapolis and Green Bay are bracing for heavy snow, while parts of the region from North Dakota through Minnesota and Iowa are seeing near-zero visibility, conditions that may persist into Monday morning.

Meanwhile, areas stretching from Pennsylvania to Maine are expected to experience freezing rain and strong winds, raising the risk of icy roads and hazardous travel conditions.

In Michigan, snowfall and winds are forecast to continue through Monday morning before gradually changing to rain, a transition also expected across parts of the Northeast. While the storm is projected to move out by Monday night, additional snowfall could return to the Great Lakes region and last through Wednesday.

Winter storm hits multiple US states