In the early hours of March 7, Russian forces executed a coordinated missile and drone assault on various Ukrainian cities, resulting in multiple casualties and infrastructural damage. Reports indicate that explosions were heard in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Chuhuiv, Vinnytsia, and Novodnistrovsk, with at least four fatalities confirmed in Kharkiv and several others injured, including a child.
The attacks also led to injuries in Zaporizhzhia, where a baby was reportedly hurt. In Dnipropetrovsk, an infrastructure facility was set ablaze, while Odesa experienced similar strikes. As a consequence of the assaults and subsequent damage to railway infrastructure, several trains operated by Ukrzaliznytsia were forced to alter their routes in Rivne, Vinnytsia, and Zhytomyr regions.
U.S. Considers Lifting Sanctions on Russian Oil
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is contemplating the possibility of lifting sanctions on Russian oil to address global supply shortages exacerbated by military actions in the Middle East. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated during an appearance on Fox Business that hundreds of millions of barrels of oil are currently stranded at sea, and removing sanctions could enhance market availability.
In a related context, the U.S. recently eased sanctions on Russian oil for a 30-day period, allowing Indian refineries to purchase Russian oil that has been stranded on tankers.
Putin Engages in Dialogue with Iranian President
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, marking their first discussion since the onset of U.S.-Israeli military actions on February 28. During the call, Putin expressed condolences regarding the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the civilian casualties, while noting that he remains in constant contact with leaders of Gulf Arab nations.
Previously, it was reported that Russia has been providing Iran with intelligence on the locations and movements of U.S. military assets, including ships and aircraft, which U.S. intelligence suggests has been corroborated by Iranian strikes on temporary U.S. military installations in the Gulf region. On March 1, an Iranian drone attack targeted a U.S. facility in Kuwait, resulting in six fatalities.
Five Countries Boycott Paralympic Opening Ceremony in Solidarity with Ukraine
Public broadcasters in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, and Poland refrained from airing the opening ceremony of the 2026 Paralympic Games on March 6, in a show of solidarity with Ukraine. This decision was made in response to the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under their national flags. Polish broadcaster TVP3 displayed a banner stating, “In solidarity with Ukraine. Polish television opposes the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in sporting events.”
Additionally, the Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne Sport also did not air the ceremony. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, 16 countries chose to boycott the event entirely. Meanwhile, the organizers of the Games presented the Ukrainian team flag during the opening ceremony, despite the full Ukrainian delegation’s decision to abstain from attending.
European Commission Criticizes Zelensky’s Comments
Olof Gill, the Deputy Chief Spokesperson for the European Commission, criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for remarks that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban interpreted as threats. Gill stated, “Regarding President Zelensky’s comments, we, as the European Commission, clearly assert that such language is unacceptable. There can be no threats directed at EU member states.”
On March 5, Zelensky indicated during a briefing that he is relying on the Ukrainian budget and EU support for military funding, while suggesting he could provide the address of an EU official who might block €90 billion in EU assistance. Orban claimed that Zelensky was referring to him, reiterating that Ukraine is obstructing oil supplies to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline.
The article outlines recent missile and drone attacks by Russia on Ukraine, U.S. considerations for lifting oil sanctions, and international responses to these developments. It also highlights the diplomatic exchanges between Russia and Iran, the boycott of the Paralympic Games by several countries, and criticism from the European Commission regarding comments made by Ukraine's president.