Kyiv strikes Belgorod oil depot: A blow to Putin's war resources

A series of explosions near an oil depot in the Belgorod region and a fire at the Yeleckaya substation are the latest Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil and energy facilities. Kyiv is effectively weakening Putin's war machine.

The Security Service of Ukraine's (SBU) drones targeted a fuel base in the Russian Belgorod region and an electrical substation in the Lipetsk region, as reported on Monday by the Interfax-Ukraine agency, citing informed sources.

Last night, SBU drones were active in the Lipetsk and Belgorod regions. As a result, the oil warehouses of Oskolneftesnabzhenie near the town of Stary Oskol and the 500 kV capacity Yeleckaya substation caught fire - the agency's informant reported.

The informant noted that Russian social networks were discussing a series of loud explosions near the oil depot in the Belgorod region, and the governor of the Lipetsk region confirmed the fire at the Yeleckaya substation.

The Interfax-Ukraine agency's informant explained that the Yeleckaya substation powers Russian railways, the Stanova oil pumping station, and ensures transit between the Lipetsk, Oryol, and Bryansk electrical systems.

The Russian industry, which contributes to the war with Ukraine, will remain a legitimate target for the SBU. Actions aimed at weakening the military potential of the enemy will continue - the source of the agency announced.

The Russian Ministry of Defense admitted on Monday morning that Ukrainians attacked facilities within Russia. The statement referred to the "Kyiv regime", which attempted "to carry out terrorist attacks using aeroplane-type drones and Storm Shadow air missiles.

The Russians stated that they destroyed 12 Olkha missiles and 12 drones in the Belgorod region, eight drones in the Kursk region, four manoeuvring Storm Shadow missiles, and seven drones over the occupied Crimea. According to Moscow, four drones were intercepted over the Lipetsk region.