**Russian Diesel Exports Plummet Amid Ukrainian Drone Strikes**
Russia‘s diesel exports to Africa have sharply decreased following repeated drone attacks on its oil refineries by Ukraine. According to a report by the Price Index Center, Russian diesel exports dropped from 1.27 million tons in January to 684,000 tons in February.
The decrease is attributed to an increase in incidents at refineries due to Ukrainian drone strikes. Exports to Brazil fell by 41%, while deliveries to Turkey declined by 12%. Ukraine considers Russia’s oil infrastructure a legitimate military target, arguing that fossil fuel revenues fund Moscow’s war effort.
**Global Efforts to Support Ukraine**
The international community is continuing to discuss ways to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. A group of 37 countries from Europe, Asia, and the Commonwealth are leading discussions on shielding Ukraine against future Russian aggression. The US is also seeking Russian approval for a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.
**Ukraine’s Ongoing Battles**
Russian forces have retaken Sudzha, a key stronghold of Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast. The battle has been ongoing, with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi confirming that fighting continues in the suburbs and surrounding areas. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 74 out of 117 drones launched by Russia overnight over 11 regions.
**Casualties and Damage**
Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least 14 civilians and injured at least 33 over the past day, regional authorities reported. Infrastructure facilities in Russia’s Voronezh and Rostov regions caught fire following multiple drone strikes. The casualties included children and Syrian crew members of a merchant vessel in Odesa.
**Global Response**
The international community is calling for an end to hostilities in Ukraine. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “Here’s what we’d like the world to look like in a few days: Neither side is shooting at each other — not rockets, not missiles, not bullets, nothing, not artillery.” Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to Russia’s Kursk Oblast since Ukraine’s incursion began.
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