Ukrainian drones struck a major Russian fuel depot in the southern Oryol region on Sunday, marking the second attack on the facility within a month. Local Governor Andrey Klychkov reported that a fire broke out at the Stalnoy Kon oil terminal following a “massive” cross-border attack targeting Russia’s fuel and energy infrastructure. According to Klychkov, Russian forces intercepted 20 drones aimed at the region. While the fire was later extinguished without causing casualties or significant damage, the strike highlights the ongoing tension between Kyiv and Moscow.
Ukrainian security official Andriy Kovalenko suggested that the targeted fuel depot supplies Russian military operations in Ukraine and southern Russia, including the heavily contested Kursk province. Footage of the explosion, showing a massive blaze lighting up the night sky, was shared by Russian independent outlet Astra and later circulated by Ukrainian officials.
This attack follows another drone strike on the same facility on December 14, which Ukrainian forces claimed caused a “powerful” blaze. The strikes come as Russia ramps up assaults on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving thousands vulnerable to power outages during the harsh winter months.
Additional War Developments:
- Putin’s Retaliation Threats: After Ukrainian drones struck residential buildings in Kazan, over 1,000 kilometers from the front line, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed retaliation, warning that attackers would face “many times greater damage.”
- Civilian Casualties in Ukraine: Drone strikes in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region killed three civilians, including a man in his 30s and a woman found under rubble. A separate attack in Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, severely injured a 56-year-old man, necessitating amputation.
- Russian Drone Activity: Ukraine’s Air Force reported intercepting 52 out of 103 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russia overnight into Sunday. Another 44 drones failed to reach their targets due to electronic jamming.
- Russian Territorial Gains: Moscow’s Defense Ministry claimed to have captured the settlements of Lozova in Kharkiv and Krasne in Luhansk.
Amid these developments, the ongoing escalation of drone warfare and energy strikes underscores the growing intensity of the conflict as it approaches the three-year mark.
Source :- https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drones-depot-7153abcbd0d8e2c6e33dba89f7d2e0ef