Hi, this is Chris York reporting from Kyiv on day 1,338 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Today's top story so far:
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in an effort to pressure Moscow into agreeing to a ceasefire, the U.S. Treasury announced on Oct. 22.
The measures are the first new sanctions U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed against Moscow since taking office in January.
"Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. "Given (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin's refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia’s two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin’s war machine."
The new penalties, meant to pressure Moscow to accept a ceasefire, come after planned diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Russia fell apart. Trump and Putin were previously set to meet in Budapest at an unspecified date, but the White House later announced the summit was canceled.
"It didn't feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get — so I canceled it, but we'll do it in the future," Trump said.
Trump, who met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the White House the same day the new sanctions were announced, described the move as a "very big day in terms of what we’re doing.
"Those are against their two big oil companies, and we hope that they won't be on for long. We hope that the war will be settled. We just answered having to do with the various forms of missiles and everything else that we're looking at," Trump said.
Major blaze at Russia's Ryazan oil refinery, Ukrainian drones reported in area
Last updated 11:55 a.m. Kyiv time.
A suspected drone strike targeted the Ryazan Oil Refinery, one of Russia’s key fuel facilities, in Ryazan overnight Oct. 23, triggering explosions, residents said.
Access roads to the refinery were reportedly blocked, according to the Russian Telegram channel Astra. Residents also reported a security presence near the site.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it shot down 14 Ukrainian drones over Ryazan Oblast overnight. Regional Governor Pavel Malkov said debris from downed drones caused a fire at an industrial site without specifying the facility.
The Ryazan refinery has been repeatedly targeted by drones since early 2025, as Ukraine intensifies strikes on critical Russian energy infrastructure. The facility plays a major role in supplying fuel to central Russia, and its disruption could have broader implications for the country’s logistics, military supply chains, and economic stability.
Explosions reported near military base in southern Russia
Last updated 2:48 a.m. Kyiv time.
Explosions were reported near a military base just outside the southern Russian city of Stavropol late on Oct. 22, and additional explosions rocked an ammunition plant in the central city of Kopeysk, local media reported.
In Stavropol, a woman was allegedly killed after sustaining shrapnel wounds from the reported explosion.
A baby stroller with an explosive device hidden inside was planted near the military site, unnamed sources told Russian media.
The explosion reportedly took place at a bus stop near Russia's 247th Guards Airborne Assault Regiment.
A suspect has been detained and taken to the nearby military base for questioning, Russian media reported.
At least 8 killed, 69 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day
At least three people have been killed and 69 others injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over the past day, local authorities reported on Oct. 23.
Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 92 out of the 130 Shahed-type attack drones and other drones launched by Russia overnight, according to the Air Force. Twenty-five strikes were recorded at 11 locations.
Further drone activity was reported on the morning of Oct. 23 with an air raid alert issued in Kyiv.
In Kyiv and the surrounding oblast, six people were killed and 29 injured during a mass Russian missile and drone strike.
Overnight in Kyiv, a further seven people were injured when drones struck the Podil district of the capital.
In Kharkiv Oblast, a 40-year-old man was killed, and nine others injured when a Russian drone struck a kindergarten in Kharkiv.
Elsewhere in the oblast, one firefighter was killed and five others injured in Russian shelling of the village of Zelenyy Gai. A 66-year-old man was injured in the Vilkhiv community, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.
In Kherson Oblast, thirteen people were injured due to Russian strikes, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin.
In Sumy Oblast, three people were injured as the result of a Russian drone strike, local authorities reported.
In Donetsk Oblast, Russian attacks injured two civilians, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,134,170 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has lost around 1,134,170 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Oct. 16.
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