Ukraine drone assault ignites Russian oil refinery as Putin recognises ‘difficult period’

Ukraine kept up its heavy drone assault on Russia, setting fire to a major oil refinery in the south and killing at least two people, Russian authorities said on Sunday, as President Vladimir Putin acknowledged his country is going through a “difficult period”.

Ukraine has markedly stepped up its long-range attacks on Russian military industries and energy facilities in recent months, aiming to cut Moscow’s revenue for its invasion – now in its fifth year – and make Russians feel the consequences.

The campaign has choked Russian…