Ukrainian long-range drones successfully targeted one of Russia’s largest oil refineries for the second time in just three days, according to a senior official from Kyiv. This attack, which occurred late Sunday, aimed to disrupt Russian military operations as the conflict approaches its third anniversary. The refinery, located in the Volgograd region, is among the top ten refineries in Russia and is responsible for processing nearly 6% of the country’s oil supply.
While Ukrainian authorities reported the strike, Russian officials acknowledged only a minor fire resulting from the drone attack. This incident follows a similar assault on the same facility on Friday, although details from that attack have not been disclosed.
In addition to the Volgograd refinery, Ukrainian drones also targeted a significant natural gas processing plant in Russia’s Astrakhan region during the same operation. An anonymous official from Ukraine’s Security Service noted that this marks the fifth successful operation behind enemy lines this year, aimed at undermining the Russian war effort.
The Volgograd refinery is situated approximately 480 kilometers (300 miles) from the front lines of the conflict, while the Astrakhan facility is even further away, at around 800 kilometers (500 miles) from Ukraine. These strikes come as Ukraine faces increased pressure from Russian forces, particularly in the eastern industrial regions of the country.
In response to the drone attacks, the Russian military claimed to have intercepted and destroyed 70 Ukrainian drones across six regions during the night. Additionally, authorities temporarily suspended flights at nine airports throughout Russia as a precautionary measure.
As the situation continues to evolve, the ongoing conflict remains a focal point of international attention, with the potential for future peace negotiations looming on the horizon. Ukraine’s reliance on Western military support has been crucial, even as it works to bolster its own arms production capabilities, including the development of advanced drones capable of longer ranges and heavier payloads.