Victorious news of 798th day of war: Ukraine attacks oil refinery in Ryazan, first F-16s after Easter

Norwegian government decides to increase support for Ukraine by $600 million in 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote this on X.

“I am grateful to the Norwegian government, led by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, for its decision to increase support for Ukraine by $600 million this year.” 

The president noted that the funds will be used mainly to protect the airspace.

“I appreciate that the majority of these funds will be used to strengthen Ukraine's air defense, which is our top priority for protecting lives. We value Norway’s unfaltering support, understanding of our pressing needs, and willingness to stand by our side in the most critical time. Together, we are defending Ukraine and the rest of Europe from Russian terror,” Zelenskyy wrote.

On April 30, the head of the Norwegian government announced an increase in support for Ukraine by 7 billion kroner (about $629 million - ed.), of which 6 billion (about $539 million) is earmarked for air defense and 1 billion (about $90 million) for civilian needs.

Ukrainian drones attack Ryazan oil refinery

On the night of May 1, drones from the Main Intelligence Directorate attacked the Ryazan Oil Refinery. The Russian Defense Ministry announced the elimination of 6 UAVs.

Several Ukrainian media reported this citing their own sources.

"A military target in Ryazan was hit. There is significant damage, it was bright," the source said.

The drones also attacked a refinery in the Voronezh region of Russia, and the consequences of the attack are being clarified.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Russian Air Defense Forces allegedly destroyed and intercepted 6 UAVs - three over the territory of Voronezh region, one over Ryazan region, one over Belgorod region, and one over the territory of Kursk region.

The US drops demand for Ukraine not to strike Russian refineries

Ivan Stupak, a military expert and employee of Ukraine's Security Service in 2004-2015, said that nothing is deterring Ukraine from destroying the Russian oil refining industry.

He said this on the Espreso TV channel.

"Just a few weeks ago, American officials were asking Ukraine very strongly not to hit Russian refineries at all. After a brief deliberation, the Ukrainian side replied that there was no help from the U.S. and that we would do everything we could to stop Russia. Now the aid has been voted for, and the strikes continue. As of Monday, April 29, the United States removed from its agenda the demand to ban attacks on Russian refineries. This means that now Ukraine is not restrained from destroying the Russian oil refining industry," emphasized Stupak.

According to the military expert, the Ryazan Oil Refinery provides Moscow and the Moscow region with gasoline and diesel fuel.

"As for today's strikes, the Ryazan refinery represents 5% of Russia's oil refining industry, which provides gasoline and diesel fuel to Moscow and the Moscow region. Currently, 20% of the oil refining industry is out of commission, either destroyed or damaged. That is, it is either completely out of commission or operating in emergency mode," Stupak said. 

Ukraine's Air Force suggests first F-16 fighters will arrive after Easter

The spokesman for the Air Force Command, Ilya Yevlash, said that the first F-16 multirole fighter jets will arrive in Ukraine after Easter, but there are no exact dates.

He said this in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda.

"After Easter is quite a long time. Of course, the Air Force, like all Ukrainians, would like to see F-16 multirole fighters in the airspace as soon as possible, so we are waiting for them as soon as possible," Yevlash said.

"As soon as it becomes known that the first F-16s have arrived in Ukraine, we will communicate this issue and officially inform our citizens that we have these multirole fighters," he added.

Yevlash did not specify how many fighter jets he was talking about.

According to him, the pilots are currently being trained in the US and Denmark.

Ukraine exports record volume of products in April

Last month, Ukraine exported more than 13 million tons of products, which is more than in February 2022. In monetary terms, exports in April reached $3.3 billion.

First Vice Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said this, the press service of the Ministry of Economy reports.

"The measures taken by the Ukrainian government together with our international partners to restore and increase exports are yielding excellent results. In April, we reached a record export volume of 13.1 million tons since Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine. This is 1.3 million tons more than in March. And more than Ukraine exported in February 2022," the official said.

Explosions occur near Mariupol

The Mariupol City Council reported this with reference to the local resistance movement.

"Today, residents of all districts of occupied Mariupol heard explosions. According to preliminary information, it was hot in the area of the Russian dense base near Mariupol - along the Shevchenko village line to Ahrobaza village," the statement says.

It is not yet known whether the smoke was caused by a hit or fallen debris from Russian air defense systems. However, it is known that the Russian forces have urgently started redeploying and are looking for adjusters. Car checks have intensified in the center of Mariupol.

Ukrainian aviation strikes at 7 Russian concentration areas

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff reported this.

Over the day, Ukrainian aviation struck 1 Russian control center and 7 manpower concentration areas.

The missile troops destroyed 1 UAV control center and 1 manpower concentration area.