In a dramatic escalation of its drone campaign, Ukraine has reportedly targeted a Russian oil refinery and other installations with a substantial wave of drone strikes that represents one of the largest attacks of the war so far. According to verified video evidence shared by the BBC, an immense fireball erupted from the Ryazan oil refinery and its pumping station, which Ukrainian officials identified as a primary target in the attack.
Ukraine Unleashes Drone Assault on Russian Oil Facilities
Ukraine Unleashes Drone Assault on Russian Oil Facilities
Ukrainian military expands drone operations with a significant strike on oil infrastructures, causing major disturbances.
The Russian government has asserted that it responded by intercepting 121 drones across 13 regions, including major cities like Ryazan and Moscow, and claimed no damage occurred. However, Ukrainian authorities confirmed a deadly attack from Russian drones that struck a residential area in Kyiv, culminating in three fatalities and one injury.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s center for countering disinformation, indicated that both the Ryazan oil refinery and the Kremniy plant in Bryansk—key in producing missile components—had sustained hits from the assault. Social media platforms, particularly Telegram, flooded with images and videos depicting severe fires and chaotic scenes as civilians fled the crisis zone.
The Kremniy plant acknowledged a drone assault, halting operations due to damage. Meanwhile, the Kremlin admitted to the drone incursions but notably omitted reports of casualties or devastation, claiming the successful destruction of multiple Ukrainian drones in response.
Moscow’s mayor confirmed that their air defense systems had intercepted drone attacks at various locations without recording damage from the incursions. Brief interruptions to airport operations in Moscow, namely Vnukovo and Domodedovo, were reported, but flights resumed shortly after.
In competing developments, Ukrainian air defenses reportedly thwarted 25 of the 58 Russian drones launched overnight, but the interior ministry lamented civilian casualties from a Russian drone strike in Hlevakha, resulting in three deaths and injuries to another individual.
This escalation underscores the ongoing, destructive nature of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, highlighting the dire humanitarian circumstances impacting civilians on both sides.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s center for countering disinformation, indicated that both the Ryazan oil refinery and the Kremniy plant in Bryansk—key in producing missile components—had sustained hits from the assault. Social media platforms, particularly Telegram, flooded with images and videos depicting severe fires and chaotic scenes as civilians fled the crisis zone.
The Kremniy plant acknowledged a drone assault, halting operations due to damage. Meanwhile, the Kremlin admitted to the drone incursions but notably omitted reports of casualties or devastation, claiming the successful destruction of multiple Ukrainian drones in response.
Moscow’s mayor confirmed that their air defense systems had intercepted drone attacks at various locations without recording damage from the incursions. Brief interruptions to airport operations in Moscow, namely Vnukovo and Domodedovo, were reported, but flights resumed shortly after.
In competing developments, Ukrainian air defenses reportedly thwarted 25 of the 58 Russian drones launched overnight, but the interior ministry lamented civilian casualties from a Russian drone strike in Hlevakha, resulting in three deaths and injuries to another individual.
This escalation underscores the ongoing, destructive nature of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, highlighting the dire humanitarian circumstances impacting civilians on both sides.
