Ukrainian drones target key Russian refinery, crippling supply lines
On the night from Thursday to Friday, there was an attack on one of the largest oil refineries in Russia, located in the Volgograd Oblast. The information was provided by Andriy Kovalenko from the Ukrainian Centre for Countering Disinformation.
According to the Reuters, on the night from Thursday to Friday, an oil refinery in the Volgograd Oblast, one of the largest in Russia, was attacked. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian Centre for Countering Disinformation, reported that this facility has the capacity to process about 15 million tonnes of oil per year, making it the sixth largest refinery in the country. The refinery produces petrol, diesel, fuel oil, and aviation fuel.
Valeriy Romanenko, a Ukrainian aviation expert, emphasised that the Russian budget largely relies on the export of oil and petroleum products. Consequently, Ukrainian drones are intensifying attacks on Russian petrochemical enterprises. Romanenko noted that repairing damaged refinery equipment, especially those with imported components, is time-consuming.
Romanenko added that furthermore, no Western company will provide spare parts for their repair.
Russia's logistical problems
The Ukrainian-Tatar resistance movement Atesh reported that after drone attacks on Russian refineries, Russian soldiers are trying to rebuild fuel supplies for the army in Crimea. Partisans noted that transporting fuel tanks by rail from remote regions of Russia is becoming increasingly expensive and logistically complicated.
Attacks on Russian petrochemical infrastructure demonstrate how effective Ukrainian drone operations can be. They affect not only Russia's economy but also its military capabilities.
Russia's attacks on Ukraine
The Ukrainian air defence successfully neutralised 59 out of 102 drones used by Russian forces in the attack on Ukraine on the night from Thursday to Friday. This information was provided by the command of Ukraine's air force.
Russian drones, including Shahed-type attack drones and other types of decoy drones, attacked from Kursk, Bryansk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, and from Cape Chauda in Crimea, which is occupied by Russia. The Russian attack resulted in destruction in the Sumy, Odesa, and Cherkasy regions. Four drones remain in Ukrainian airspace.
