Ukraine Hits Multiple Russian Refineries Overnight Despite US Warnings
Ukraine launched drone attacks on several Russian oil refineries overnight, according to Russian sources. This action comes despite pushback from Washington, urging Kyiv to reel in its strikes on Moscow’s oil infrastructure. Russia’s defense ministry reported that its air defenses intercepted two Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the Voronezh region, which borders northeast Ukraine. Another UAV was intercepted over the Smolensk region, southwest of Moscow, and two more were intercepted over the Belgorod region, near the Ukrainian border.
Attacks and Damage
The governor of Smolensk, Vasily Anokhin, reported that fires broke out in the city and a nearby town as a result of the enemy attack on civilian fuel and energy facilities. However, there were no casualties. The Ukrainian SBU security service reportedly struck two oil depots in the Smolensk region with kamikaze drones, causing damage to the facilities. In the Voronezh region, four drones were intercepted, and at least two private buildings were damaged. The head of the Lipetsk region, Igor Artamonov, stated that Ukraine attempted to strike the infrastructure in the industrial zone of Lipetsk.
A video shared by the Russian independent outlet Astra purportedly showed fires blazing at oil refineries in Voronezh and Smolensk. Local residents also reported an attack on one of Russia’s largest steel factories in the city of Lipetsk. It is worth noting that Ukraine had previously targeted this plant earlier this year.
Ukraine’s Strategy and Motivation
Ukraine has been consistently targeting Russia’s oil refineries with long-range drones, aiming to disrupt Russia’s oil exports and hamper its war efforts. Despite being under Western sanctions, Russia still holds a significant position in the global oil market. In response, Russia has also repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure, including the recent destruction of a major power plant near the Ukrainian capital.
The United States has reportedly urged Ukraine to halt its attacks on Russia’s oil refineries, expressing concerns over potential spikes in global oil prices and the risk of Russian retaliation. Attacks by Ukraine on internationally recognized Russian territory can strain relations between Kyiv and its allies. However, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna has stated that Russian oil refineries are legitimate military targets for Ukraine.
It is important to note that the United States has clarified that it does not encourage or enable attacks inside Russia, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the U.S. State Department.
