Russia said on Wednesday that its forces had destroyed five Ukrainian unmanned boats in the Black Sea and taken control of two settlements in Ukraine's Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions, while Ukraine reported long-range strikes against an oil refinery and an important military-industrial facility in Russia.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said in its latest report that over the past 24 hours, its troops had struck Ukrainian fuel and energy facilities, transport infrastructure, a production workshop and storage site for engines of Ukrainian "Neptune" cruise missiles, as well as temporary deployment points of Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries in 148 areas.
Meanwhile, Russian air defense systems shot down seven guided aerial bombs, one operational-tactical long-range missile, and 602 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Wednesday that Ukrainian forces had conducted a long-range strike targeting an oil refinery in the southwestern Russian city of Ufa, describing the operation as the second counterstrike against Russia's deliberate stalling of the conflict.
Zelensky also announced that Ukrainian strikes had hit an important military-industrial facility in the Penza region, responsible for the research, development, and production of missile components.
Additionally, Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported on Thursday that the early morning attack on the city had killed 10 people. According to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kiev City Military Administration, the number of injured had risen to 56.
In the early hours of Thursday, a series of intense explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital. Klitschko stated that Russian forces had launched a missile strike on Kiev.
Russia sinks 5 Ukrainian boats, Ukraine strikes Russian facilities
Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized advancing agricultural modernization and ensuring food security when making investigation in northeast China's Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces from Monday to Wednesday.
In Heilongjiang Province, Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited a state farm and observed the growth of soybean, corn, and rice crops. He stressed that autumn grain accounts for the bulk of annual output, calling for stepped-up farmland management and policy support to ensure grain harvest.
Visiting an agricultural science park and a rice research institute, Li asked about seed breeding innovation and black soil conservation, highlighting the importance of science and technology in pursuing higher yields and calling for further efforts in seed breeding, advanced machinery, and smart farming.
At a major water conservancy project, Li reviewed construction progress, urging faster completion to improve flood control, irrigation, and ecological benefits while supporting stable, high-yield harvests.
In Jilin Province, Li visited an agricultural cooperative and learned about its operations. He called for developing diverse forms of appropriately scaled agricultural operations and improving services for agriculture to help smallholders connect with modern agriculture.
At a grain processing plant, Li inspected a corn oil production line and called for boosting intensive processing of agricultural products to extend industrial chains and raise value.
Li also visited the Chagan Lake and learned about the ecological fisheries. He called for actively developing modern eco-aquaculture, promoting integrated development of the farming, forestry, livestock, and fishing industries as well as the development of eco-tourism.
Chinese premier stresses agricultural modernization, food security
