Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,105

On Wednesday, March 5, this is the situation:

Fighting

• Overnight, the Ukrainian military claimed to have attacked an oil refinery in the Samara region and the Rostov region’s oil-pumping infrastructure. According to the military, “powerful explosions” occurred close to a Rostov gas transmission facility and that the attack on Samara started a fire.
• Sebastien Lecornu, the country’s defense minister, claimed that Russia “aggressively behaved” by flying a SU-35 fighter dangerously close to a French surveillance drone over the eastern Mediterranean. He claimed it was a deliberate and unacceptable flight that made three close passes in a row.
• One person was killed and Odesa, Ukraine’s Black Sea port, was without power, water, or heating for the second day as a result of a Russian drone attack, according to regional governor Oleh Kiper. He continued, adding that drone attacks also caused damage to crucial infrastructure.

diplomacy and politics

• Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Russia, claimed that stopping military aid to Ukraine would be “the best contribution to the cause of peace” between Moscow and Kiev.

• Russia’s involvement in the Russian-led conflict with Ukraine would be “aggressive, expansionist, and is prepared to use all means to achieve its political goals,” according to Finnish intelligence agency Supo.
• Following the public dispute between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Denys&nbsp, Shmyhal, said that the country is still “absolutely determined” to cooperate with the US. Additionally, he added that Kyiv would take every precaution to avert Russian aggression.
• Despite the US’s decision to withhold assistance, Shmyhal claimed that Ukraine has the military might to fight Russian forces. He did say that Ukraine would continue to cooperate with Washington via all available channels.
• A potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine was discussed by Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, according to Starmer’s spokesperson. According to him, Starmer and Trump are both focused on achieving the same goal: preserving Ukraine’s security and lasting peace.
• Shmyhal claimed that while negotiations for peace are ongoing, there are no territorial losses, according to an article in Interfax-Ukraine. The territorial losses of Ukraine are not discussed and cannot be discussed. A peace plan that includes specific stages can be discussed, he reportedly said.
• Zelenskyy called their previous argument “regrettable,” saying he wants to “make things right” with Donald Trump. He added that he wants to work under Trump’s “strong leadership” to bring about a peaceful, lasting resolution in Ukraine.

• In a letter addressed to the US Congress, Trump acknowledged Zelenskyy’s willingness to sign the minerals deal and claimed Zelenskyy had earlier expressed his support for the declaration.
• In his video address from the night before, Zelenskyy claimed to have instructed the defense minister and other government officials to provide more details regarding the military’s decision to suspend Kyiv’s aid, “because people shouldn’t be left guessing.”
• On X, Zelenskyy claimed that Moscow would accept certain conditions and that Ukraine is ready to engage in negotiations as soon as possible. As a first step toward a peace in the sky and at sea, he suggested the release of prisoners.
• According to Reuters, the US and Ukraine intend to sign the minerals deal that brokered earlier after Trump and Zelenskyy allegedly exchanged explosives in the Oval Office.
• Scott Bessent, the US’s secretary of state, refuted the report, saying a deal is “at the moment” is not on the table.