Ukrainian long-range drones have carried out a second attack on one of Russia's largest oil refineries in the Volgograd region, as reported by a senior Kyiv official. This latest strike comes amidst Ukraine's efforts to impede the Russian army's advance along certain parts of the front line, with the third anniversary of the conflict looming.
The refinery in the Volgograd region, which is among Russia's top 10 refining facilities and processes nearly 6% of the country's oil, was hit late Sunday. Russian authorities confirmed a brief fire at the refinery during the drone attack.
Ukraine has been facing sustained pressure from the Russian military in a bid to seize more territory, particularly in the eastern industrial heartland. Despite its reliance on Western military support, Ukraine has been bolstering its own arms industry, including the development of drones capable of extended range and larger payloads.
According to Ukrainian officials, the same Volgograd refinery was targeted in a previous drone attack on Friday, although specific details were not immediately disclosed. In the most recent strike on Sunday night, Ukrainian drones also aimed at a significant natural gas processing plant in Russia's Astrakhan region.
The security service official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that this operation marked the fifth successful incursion behind Russian front lines this year, with the objective of disrupting the Russian military operations.
The Volgograd refinery is situated approximately 480 kilometers (300 miles) behind the front line, while the Astrakhan plant is even farther at around 800 kilometers (500 miles) from Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry reported the destruction of 70 Ukrainian drones across six Russian regions during the night. The Volgograd and Astrakhan regions, along with areas in Belgorod, Kursk, and Voronezh near the Ukrainian border, were targeted. Flights in and out of nine Russian airports in various regions were temporarily halted as a precautionary measure.
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