In a recent development, Russian forces launched a significant nighttime missile attack on Ukraine's energy and gas infrastructure, causing Ukraine's state energy company, Ukrenergo, to implement emergency blackouts. This attack is part of Russia's ongoing efforts to disrupt Ukraine's power grid throughout the conflict.
Simultaneously, Ukrainian drones targeted an important oil refinery in Russia's Saratov region, located approximately 500 kilometers from Ukraine's border. The refinery, which produces gasoline, fuel oil, and diesel fuel for the Russian military, was struck as part of Ukraine's long-range drone campaign against strategic targets inside Russia.
Amidst these military actions, diplomatic efforts are underway to seek an end to the almost three-year war between the two nations. Senior advisers of President Donald Trump are scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference to discuss potential pathways towards peace.
Furthermore, the Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 124 Shahed and decoy drones across Ukraine, while at least 19 Russian missiles targeted Ukrainian gas production facilities. The specifics of the Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian refinery were confirmed by the Army General Staff, although Russian officials provided limited details on the incident.
Reports from Russia indicated that the attacked facility in the Saratov region may have been the Saratov oil refinery, a part of Russia's state-run oil giant Rosneft. The governor of the Saratov region confirmed the drone attack, mentioning a brief fire and damage to an industrial facility, which was swiftly contained.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that the attack may have also impacted the city of Engels in the Saratov region, known for housing various industrial plants and the main base of Russia's nuclear-capable strategic bombers. Ukrainian drone attacks on this base have been ongoing since the early stages of the conflict, prompting the Russian military to relocate most of its bombers to alternative locations.
As the situation continues to evolve, international observers are closely monitoring developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
For more updates on the war in Ukraine, visit AP's coverage.
