2.2 C
New York
Sunday, February 16, 2025

Ukrainian Drones Target Russian Fuel Depot for 2nd Time

Must read

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian drones struck a major Russian fuel depot in the Oryol region early Sunday, December 22, 2024, marking the second such attack in just over a week, according to Russian officials.

The strike is part of what Kyiv has described as a broad campaign targeting fuel and energy facilities supplying Moscow’s military as the war approaches its third year.

Local Governor Andrey Klychkov confirmed the fire at the Stalnoy Kon oil terminal on Telegram, attributing it to a “massive” attack involving 20 drones.

While the fire was extinguished without casualties or significant damage, video footage shared by Russian independent outlet Astra and later reposted by a Ukrainian official showed a dramatic blaze lighting up the night sky.

Andriy Kovalenko, a Ukrainian security official, claimed the facility is a critical supply hub for Russian forces operating in Ukraine and southern Russia, including the Kursk province, where Ukrainian troops recently launched a successful incursion.

This comes amid escalating hostilities as both nations ramp up strikes targeting infrastructure and civilian areas.

Putin, Russia, Ukrainian Drones,
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the meeting of the State Council for family support at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. | Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Russia Threatens Retaliation

In a separate development, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed retaliation following a Ukrainian drone attack on residential buildings in Kazan, a city over 600 miles from the front line.

“Anyone attacking Russia has to reckon with Moscow inflicting many times greater damage in return,” Putin warned, speaking with Tatarstan’s regional governor. He did not elaborate on potential measures.

Eight drones reportedly targeted Kazan on Saturday, causing no casualties, according to local officials.

Civilian Casualties in Ukraine

Ukrainian regions continue to bear the brunt of Russian drone and missile strikes.

In the southern Kherson province, three civilians died in separate incidents over the weekend, local Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.

Victims included a 30-year-old man killed by explosives dropped from a drone and a woman found dead under rubble following another strike.

In the northeastern Kharkiv region, a 56-year-old man in Kupiansk sustained severe injuries from a Russian drone strike and will require limb amputation, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov.

Meanwhile, in the Kyiv suburb of Brovary, debris from a Russian drone sparked a fire on the roof of a 25-story residential building late Saturday, though no casualties were reported.

Drone Warfare Intensifies

Drone activity has surged on both sides. Ukraine’s Air Force reported intercepting 52 of 103 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russia overnight Sunday, with another 44 failing to reach their targets due to electronic countermeasures.

Conversely, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted 42 Ukrainian drones launched at its territory overnight, including 20 in the Oryol region.

While drone strikes dominate headlines, Russian forces have reportedly made incremental gains in northeastern Ukraine.

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced the capture of two settlements—Lozova in the Kharkiv region and Krasne in the Luhansk province—on Sunday.

There has been no immediate confirmation from Ukrainian officials.

A War of Attrition

The intensified cross-border strikes highlight the evolving nature of the conflict, with both nations targeting infrastructure to weaken each other’s military capabilities.

As winter deepens, Ukraine faces renewed threats to its energy grid, while Russia grapples with increasing security challenges on its own soil.

With neither side showing signs of backing down, the conflict’s toll on both military and civilian infrastructure continues to mount, pushing the war into an even more precarious phase.

More articles

- Advertisement -The Fast Track to Earning Income as a Publisher
- Advertisement -The Fast Track to Earning Income as a Publisher
- Advertisement -Top 20 Blogs Lifestyle

Latest article