Ukraine launches massive drone attack on Russian energy plant
Russia reported on Sunday that it thwarted a large-scale drone attack by Ukraine, shooting down 158 drones across 15 regions. Two of these drones were intercepted over Moscow, with targets including a coal-fired power plant near the city and an oil refinery within its limits. A local official confirmed that three drones had attempted to strike the Kashira coal-fired power station but assured there were no casualties or damages.
Fire at Moscow oil refinery, no casualties reported
Russian news agencies reported a fire at the Moscow oil refinery in Kapotnya. However, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that there were no casualties or damage from this incident. The Russian defense ministry stated that most of the drones, totaling 122, were neutralized over the regions of Kursk, Bryansk, Voronezh and Belgorod which share borders with Ukraine.
Drone attacks extend beyond border regions
Meanwhile, regional governor Aleksandr Bogomaz reported that their defenders are repelling an attempted massive UAV attack on the territory of the Bryansk region. In addition to these border regions, several drones were also downed over Kaluga, Lipetsk, Ryazan and other Russian areas. Notably, the oil refinery in southeast Moscow targeted during this attack is owned by state-owned Gazprom Neft, the oil arm of Russian gas giant Gazprom.
Drone attack damages residential buildings in Belgorod
Additionally, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov of the Belgorod region reported that the glasses of three residential buildings were damaged and a utility building in a private facility was completely collapsed due to the drone attack. This incident follows one of the most deadliest attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which involved over 200 Russian drones and missiles. Since Russia's campaign in Ukraine began in February 2022, both sides have targeted each other's energy infrastructure.
Ukraine intensifies aerial assaults on Russia's oil infrastructure
On Wednesday, Ukrainian drones attacked two fuel depots in southwest Russia's Rostov region and the northern Kirov region, causing them to catch fire. This comes as Ukraine launched an offensive in Russia's Kursk region, even as Russian forces continue to make steady progress in eastern Ukraine. Recent strikes have brought the fight from Russia's borders to the heart of its capital city.
