In a daring move, Ukrainian drones have once again struck a significant Russian fuel depot, marking the second attack in just over a week. The latest assault is part of a larger cross-border offensive targeting fuel and energy facilities that allegedly support Moscow’s military operations, as reported by a senior Russian regional official.
This development follows Russia’s recent aggressive assaults on Ukraine’s already fragile energy infrastructure, posing a threat of power outages to thousands of households as winter intensifies its hold over the region. Simultaneously, Russia’s prolonged invasion of Ukraine approaches the three-year mark.
A fire erupted at the Stalnoy Kon oil terminal in Russia’s southern Oryol region, with local Governor Andrey Klychkov confirming the incident and stating that Russian forces successfully intercepted 20 drones aimed at key fuel and energy installations in the area.
A video shared by Russian independent news outlet Astra depicted a massive explosion at the site, illuminating the nighttime sky with a vivid orange blaze. Although the authenticity of the footage remains unverified, a Ukrainian security official later corroborated its origin in Oryol.
Andriy Kovalenko from the Council of National Security and Defense revealed that the Oryol fuel depot supplies Russian troops engaged in conflict in Ukraine and southern Russia, including the Kursk province where Ukrainian forces have fortified their positions since an abrupt incursion in August.
Although the fire at the facility was eventually extinguished without causing casualties or extensive damage, this incident echoes a similar drone strike on the Stalnoy Kon terminal earlier in December, as claimed by the Ukrainian military.
Other significant developments in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia include:
— Russian President Vladimir Putin’s vow of retaliation following Ukrainian drone attacks on residential buildings in Kazan, situated over 600 miles away from the front line. Putin warned of severe consequences for those targeting Russia, emphasizing Moscow’s capacity for substantial counterattacks without providing specific details.
— Tragic casualties in Ukraine’s Kherson region resulting from Russian drone strikes, including the death of a man due to explosives dropped by a drone, as reported by local authorities. Additional fatalities were attributed to drone attacks in the region, underscoring the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict.
— Reports of a civilian sustaining severe injuries in the Kharkiv region due to a Russian drone strike, necessitating potential limb amputation, according to regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov.
— Incidents of Russian drones causing havoc in various locations, such as a fire sparked by debris in a Kyiv suburb and interception of Iranian-made drones by Ukrainian air defense systems, highlighting the escalating technological warfare between the two nations.
— Russian military advancements in northeastern Ukraine, including the capture of strategic settlements like Lozova and Krasne, as disclosed by Russia’s Defense Ministry. These territorial gains signify ongoing hostilities and territorial shifts on the ground, with confirmation awaited from Ukrainian authorities.
