About this Episode
Ukraine says it has hit Russia’s largest oil refinery in a drone strike more than 2,500 kilometres from the border, damaging critical equipment, including the main refining unit. The Omsk Oil Refinery produces petrol, diesel, aviation kerosene and other petroleum products. Ukraine’s General Staff said a fire broke out after the attack. Gazprom Neft, which owns the refinery, has not yet commented. The strike is part of Ukraine’s campaign against Russia’s fuel production sector.
The European Commission wants EU member states to open a new accession cluster with Serbia. The move would advance Serbia’s EU membership bid. The Commission says Serbia has made progress on judicial reform, media freedom, electoral law and foreign policy cooperation. But Serbia still has not joined EU sanctions against Russia. Several member states remain sceptical because of concerns over democracy, judicial independence and the rule of law. Opening a new accession cluster requires unanimous backing from EU countries. EU ambassadors are expected to discuss the issue tomorrow.
Hamas says it has dissolved the body governing Gaza, clearing the way for a technocratic committee to take over civilian administration. The group has run Gaza since 2007. The move follows a ceasefire with Israel that took effect last October. Hamas says it is ready to hand government responsibilities to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, headed by Palestinian technocrat Ali Shaath. However, the next phase of the ceasefire remains stalled. Key disputes include Hamas’ disarmament, Israeli troop withdrawal, and Gaza’s future administration. This could ease the dispute over who governs Gaza, but it does not yet resolve who controls security. Israel and other actors are likely to judge the move by what happens next.
Iran is holding a week of funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Large crowds gathered in Tehran yesterday for a major procession. Khamenei and several family members were killed in an airstrike on 28 February. There has still been no public sighting of his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei. Reuters says sources reported he was badly injured in the same attack.
