Claims of suspension of the Ukraine-White Border relay station, orders for preemptive strikes on Russian facilities, Zelensky accused of achieving a "fantasy victory"

【Global Times Special Correspondent in Russia, Xiao Xinxin】“The relay stations have stopped operating within Belarus.” According to a report by the Ukrainian News Agency on the 24th, Ukrainian President Zelensky stated to the media that, based on reports from the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and existing intelligence, the relay stations deployed in Belarus have ceased operations since the 22nd. On the other hand, as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to be deadlocked, Zelensky stated in a video address on the evening of the 24th that Ukraine will launch more "preemptive strikes" against facilities used by Russia to expand the war. Last week, Zelensky publicly demanded that Belarusian President Lukashenko dismantle the relay stations deployed along the Belarus-Ukraine border that guide Russian drone attacks on Ukraine, giving a one-week deadline, or Ukraine would "take action to dismantle" them.

RBC-Ukraine reported on the 24th, citing analysis, that in the past three days, Russian military drones have not flown along the Belarus-Ukraine border, with the last recorded incident occurring on the morning of the 21st. In the following days, Russian military drones changed their flight routes to continue attacks on Chernihiv Oblast in northern Ukraine, which borders Russia and Belarus. The report stated that this change was due to the Russian military no longer using the relay stations in the Belarus-Ukraine border area. The Ukrainian "National Network" reported on the 24th that it is still unclear whether these relay stations actually exist or have simply stopped working. The Belarusian side has not made a clear statement or denial regarding this.

According to a report by TASS on the 25th, Russian presidential press secretary Peskov stated in response to media questions that the Russian side does not have information regarding the relay stations and believes that the media should not ask Zelensky, but perhaps should inquire with the Belarusian side. According to the Russian newspaper "Komsomolskaya Pravda," former member of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada (parliament) Dmitriuk stated on the 24th that Zelensky has defeated his own "fabricated relay stations," achieving a "concocted victory." When lacking actual combat results, he resorts to using "illusory victories."

Russian newspaper Net reported on the 25th that Zelensky's actions are purely "public relations stunts" to showcase a tough stance and so-called achievements. Belarusian National Assembly (parliament) member Zhikin stated that Zelensky's manipulation of this issue is part of Ukraine's geopolitical strategy, coinciding with the recent conclusion of the G7 summit held in France. Europe is clearly very interested in this, and Ukraine is also attempting to weaken the alliance between Russia and Belarus.

As mutual attacks between Russia and Ukraine continue and the intensity of the conflict remains high, Ukraine is intensifying its strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. According to the Ukrainian News Agency, Zelensky stated in a video address on the evening of the 24th that he has instructed Ukrainian intelligence and military to take preemptive actions against facilities used by Russia to expand the war. More than 60 regions in Russia are already experiencing fuel shortages, and gasoline and diesel prices have risen sharply. He also stated on the 25th that Ukrainian forces launched attacks on an oil depot in the Krasnodar Krai and two oil refineries in Ufa early in the morning.

On the 25th local time, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that from the evening of the 24th to the morning of the 25th, Russian air defense systems intercepted and shot down 269 drones over 13 regions, including Moscow Oblast, Crimea, and over the Black Sea.

According to reports from Reuters and others on the 24th, Ukrainian drone attacks have caused several large oil refineries in central Russia to halt production, with Russian gasoline output declining by about 25% year-on-year. Ukrainian drones again attacked Sevastopol, the largest city in Crimea, on the 24th, causing power outages. Sources revealed that Russia is discussing importing about 50,000 tons of gasoline from Kazakhstan to alleviate domestic gasoline shortages caused by refinery shutdowns and unscheduled repairs. Reports indicate that the Russian government is considering measures to stabilize the market, including restricting fuel exports, increasing subsidies for refineries, and importing gasoline. These measures are "rare" for Russia, which is one of the world's major fuel exporters.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to launch drone attacks on Ukraine and strengthen its offensive on the front lines. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on the 25th that from the evening of the 24th to the morning of the 25th, Russian forces launched one missile and 90 drones into Ukrainian territory, with Ukrainian air defense systems shooting down 83 drones. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on the 25th that Russian forces captured nine Ukrainian military strongholds and 38 buildings in the Donetsk region's Horlivka. Over the past day, Russian forces actively attacked in various directions around Konstantinovka and controlled 127 buildings.

The Ukrainian News Agency reported that regarding whether Ukraine is winning the war, U.S. President Trump stated to the media during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg at the White House on the 24th, "Zelensky is doing quite well... at least he is still holding on, and both sides have lost many people." Reports indicate that U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Jeremy Lieu stated to the media on the 24th that Ukraine is currently "at a moment of winning the war," "We see that (Russian President) Putin is still unwilling to sit at the negotiating table... We welcome some of the recent proposals made by Zelensky, but Putin has rejected them."

According to a report by RIA Novosti, in response to Ukrainian media reports claiming that Trump allowed Ukraine to "strike deep into Russia," Peskov stated on the 25th that the reports from Ukrainian media are "not credible." The Russian side has noted that Trump recently stated that after the conflict in Iran ends, he will refocus on resolving the Ukraine issue. Peskov expressed that the Russian side looks forward to continuing dialogue with U.S. negotiators on the Ukraine issue.

Additionally, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated on the 24th that if European countries propose some genuinely constructive plans, the Russian side may be willing to listen and assess whether they are worth adopting. He also stated that the Russian side will not consider a ceasefire on the front lines as a condition for starting negotiations with Ukraine, nor will it accept the deployment of European troops to Ukraine. He further stated that resolving the Ukraine issue through political and diplomatic means is still possible, but the Russian side will not accept temporary or intermittent solutions and rejects any "ultimatums."