Ex-CIA Chief: Putin Losing Advantage in Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Ukrainian forces reported a strike on Russia’s Ust-Luga oil terminal in the Leningrad region on Tuesday. Kyiv’s general staff said preliminary checks showed damage to three storage tanks owned by Transneft-Baltika.

Deadly drone and artillery strikes in the southeast

Russian attacks killed seven civilians in two southeast Ukrainian cities on Tuesday. Officials described separate strikes in Nikopol and Kherson.

In Nikopol, a small FPV drone hit a bus approaching a city stop. Local governor Oleksandr Ganzha and President Volodymyr Zelensky said four people died and at least 16 were hurt.

In Kherson, a sustained half-hour bombardment on a residential area killed three elderly residents. Regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported seven more people wounded.

Ukrainian authorities and rights groups accuse Moscow of deliberate drone attacks on civilians. Russia denies deliberately targeting non-combatants.

Ceasefire proposal around Orthodox Easter

President Zelensky offered a temporary pause on strikes against energy infrastructure for the Orthodox Easter holiday. He said the proposal was conveyed through the United States.

Kyiv said it would halt strikes if Moscow stopped attacks on Ukrainian energy sites. The proposal was presented to the Russian side, Kyiv added.

There was no immediate comment from Moscow. Previous attempts at temporary truces have had limited success.

Last Easter, President Putin declared a 30-hour ceasefire that both sides accused each other of breaking. Moscow also rejected a US-Ukraine proposal for a 30-day unconditional truce last year.

Zelensky expressed doubts that the Kremlin would accept the holiday pause. He noted Russia currently benefits from higher oil prices tied to the Iran war.

Political visits and Hungary’s stance

US Vice President JD Vance visited Hungary this week. During the trip, he praised Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as a statesman.

Orbán described Washington’s support for Ukraine as “very valuable” during the meeting. He is campaigning for re-election.

Hungary has diverged from most EU partners by refusing to send weapons or financial aid to Ukraine. The country continues to buy Russian energy despite EU efforts to reduce dependency.

In November, Hungary received an exemption from US sanctions on Russian oil and gas after a White House meeting between Orbán and former President Trump.

Other notable developments

• Reports said Russia’s top military commander died in a domestic plane crash.
• Brutal flash floods in Russia were captured on video, showing at least one building collapsing.
• Media coverage highlighted Ukraine’s conscription crisis, with roughly two million people avoiding the draft.
• Photographs circulated of rescuers moving an injured woman after the Nikopol bus attack.

Analysts and commentators continue to debate Moscow’s strategic position. Some commentary even cites lines such as “Ex-CIA Chief: Putin Losing Advantage in Ukraine-Russia Conflict” in broader assessments.

Reporting and compilation by Bryony Gooch for Filmogaz.com. 7 April 2026.