Russia said on Thursday that its forces had struck energy infrastructure supporting Ukrainian military operations, while Ukraine, on the same day, attacked a Russian oil facility.
Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement that operational-tactical aircraft, combat unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of Russian force groupings hit 142 targets, including energy facilities used by the Ukrainian military, ammunition depots, and temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries.
The ministry added that the Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed nine guided aerial bombs, four HIMARS rockets and 224 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles launched by Ukraine.
On the same day, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that from Wednesday night to early Thursday morning, Ukrainian forces launched an attack on an oil facility in Russia's Krasnodar Krai region, triggering a large fire.
The Ukrainian forces also struck multiple radar stations used by Russian troops in Crimea, along with other military facilities in different areas, the Ukrainian side said.
Russia strikes Ukraine energy infrastructure, Ukraine attacks Russian oil facility
A youth march themed "Here with Fidel" was held in Havana, Cuba, on Wednesday to call for an end to the U.S. blockade.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, and other party and state leaders participated in the event.
At 08:00, members of Cuba's Union of Young Communists and the Jose Marti Pioneers Organization, along with people from various sectors gathered at the iconic Malecón waterfront promenade in the capital. The participants first delivered speeches and staged artistic performances to express their determination to inherit history, oppose the blockade, and defend the revolutionary cause. Following this, the parade, featuring cyclists and motorcyclists, set off from the José Martí Sports Stadium.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro's birth and April 4 is the anniversary of the founding of the Union of Young Communists in 1962.
One participant said that Cuba does not deserve the unjust treatment it has endured for decades.
"Cuba is a country of peace, a country of love, and it does not deserve this unjust blockade that we are currently facing. The youth at the centenary of Fidel Castro are stepping up to defend and support the revolution. We will not stop because Cuba is a country that resists and lives,” said a participant.
Another participant spoke of the difficult times facing the nation and the essential role of young people.
"We are living through very complex times in our country. Amid all this, young people must play a fundamental role. Here we are; we arrived by bicycle, and some have come on foot. Hopefully, this message reaches the world. I hope that young people from different nations can connect with each other, coming together more and more to strive for a better planet," he said.
Cuban youth hold march to protest U.S. blockade
Cuban youth hold march to protest U.S. blockade
