In a significant development, Ukraine launched a major attack using dozens of long-range strike drones, targeting eight Russian regions and resulting in the ignition of a fuel depot and the striking of three power substations. This intelligence was revealed by a source in Kyiv to Reuters, and the attack was subsequently confirmed by the defense ministry in Moscow. The assault took place amidst a sustained Russian airstrike campaign, which has inflicted substantial damage on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and urban centers in recent weeks.
In response to the mounting pressure on the battlefield, Ukraine sought to exert pressure on the Kremlin by directing its focus towards oil refineries and energy facilities within Russia using drones. According to the Ukrainian source, social media videos depicted fires raging at various locations, indicating that at least three electrical substations and a fuel storage base were targeted, resulting in the ignition of fires.
The facilities were reportedly chosen for their role in supporting Russian military industrial production. Russia’s defense ministry reported the downing of 50 Ukrainian drones, with 26 in the Belgorod region, 10 in the Bryansk region, eight in the Kursk region, and two in the Tula region, along with one in each of the Smolensk, Ryazan, Kaluga, and Moscow regions.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Russia’s Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, stated that two civilians lost their lives as a consequence of the attack. The strike specifically targeted a fuel energy facility in the Kardym district of Russia’s western Smolensk region, resulting in a reservoir containing fuel and oil lubricants being hit and subsequently catching fire. The local governor confirmed the incident and noted that efforts were underway to contain the blaze.
The extent of injuries, if any, remains unclear at this time.