The New Oil Order? – Ukraine Latest, April 28

Silver linings in Iran talks, Hormuz developments, Ukrainian-Israeli diplomatic spat, and Ukraine’s accusation against Steven Seagal – updates from Ukraine and beyond Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied A Ukrainian police officer (R), assisted by another man, carries a plastic bag containing drone debris at the site of a Russian drone strike in Kyiv, on April 28, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Roman PILIPEY / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google The oil market might never be the same. Just as reports suggest talks between Iran and the US might be progressing , with a potential reset to pre-war conditions , the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced its decision to pull out of OPEC and OPEC+ . The decision coincided with the first liquified natural gas (LNG) tanker, belonging to an Emirati firm, that passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the Iran war began, potentially upending a long-established industry dynamic. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Russia also reportedly diverted a diesel tanker destined for Brazil mid-way to some unknown buyers whom many suspect are higher bidders, but no confirmation of why thus far. It is not just the oil industry bracing for big changes. As the Iran talks seemingly progressed, Moscow also vowed full backing for Iran, coinciding with reports that a superyacht linked to a pro-Kremlin oligarch just passed through the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran’s deputy defense minister has boasted of sharing experience in battling the US military with its partners. While Iran and Russia – and potentially China – are getting closer, the transatlantic bond is under unseen strains. NATO is reportedly eyeing an end to annual summits to avoid unpleasant confrontations with the Trump administration. Meanwhile, King Charles III’s meeting with US President Donald Trump – aimed at steadying ties – was held behind closed doors , in what many suspect was a precaution against a repeat of the infamous White House clash between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky. Other Topics of Interest EXPLAINED: Guns and Permits in Wartime Ukraine – Legally Getting Firearms in 2026 As a wave of shootings renews questions over gun access in Ukraine, here is a step-by-step explainer on who can legally buy firearms – and how easy or difficult the process is in 2026. Ukraine’s diplomat spat with Israel And just because Kyiv is not getting along with Iran and Russia (to put it mildly) does not mean all is well with Israel. In what might be considered a counter-example to my enemy’s enemy is my friend, Ukraine is also entering a diplomatic spat with Israel after another ship carrying potentially stolen grain entered Haifa, with Kyiv issuing strong diplomatic protests and even considering secondary sanctions , alongside Europe, against buyers. In Kyiv, our team heard explosions in the middle of the day as a drone struck near a kindergarten in a rare daytime attack. The attack followed another overnight strike elsewhere in Ukraine after Russia unleashed over 120 drones nationwide. But Ukraine also hit Russia hard – the Tuapse refinery, a key hub for Russian oil on the Black Sea coast, was struck overnight again , with flames raging at the compound and residents evacuated . On top of that, Ukraine also hit an Iskander missile storage in occupied Crimea, potentially preventing some missile launches against Ukraine itself. Further away in Africa’s Mali, the rebels are also said to have gained ground against Russian and government forces despite Moscow’s reinforcements, seizing a drone base for the Turkish-made Bayraktar drones. That said, Ukraine once again admitted logistics issues in supplying troops and vowed to do something about it , while the Ukrainian intelligence said Moscow is now eyeing recruitment quotas from migrants to replenish its ranks. On a slightly more lighthearted note, Ukrainian police just named Steven Seagal , the US-born pro-Kremlin actor, as one of the recipients of illegal trophy weapons in an announcement on a major arms smuggling network crackdown. Speaking of firearms, we also took a deep dive into gun laws in Ukraine and potential gaps in the system. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin also sacked the head of Russia’s state cultural diplomacy agency , though the implications for now are not exactly unclear. Interested in more updates like this? Subscribe to our daily newsletter here . Leo Chiu is a journalist and editor based in Eastern Europe since 2015. He has witnessed two presidential elections in Belarus and traveled widely to conflict zones and contested regions, producing reporting that bridges the gap between major developments and local realities.