Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Depot and Pipeline in Drone Attacks

Ukraine claimed responsibility for drone attacks on Sunday that struck an oil depot in southern Russia and a pumping station hundreds of kilometers from the front lines. Russian officials confirmed strikes in the affected areas, marking a continued escalation of Ukrainian operations targeting Moscow's infrastructure.

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The pipeline hit by the drones transports oil to western Russia and Belarus.

The Ukrainian army reported that drones hit a "dispatch station of a major oil pipeline" in Russia's Kirov region and an oil depot in the Rostov region, which borders occupied Ukraine. The targeted pipeline reportedly transports oil from Siberia to western Russia and Belarus. Alexander Sokolov, the governor of the Kirov region, acknowledged that Ukrainian drones had hit a "facility," causing a fire, but reported no casualties and urged calm among residents.

In the Rostov region's town of Matveyev-Kurgan, which has been frequently targeted by Kyiv, local officials declared a state of emergency following a large fire at an oil depot hit by a drone. Dina Alborova, the town's head, stated that the blaze spread over 3,600 square meters and affected residential houses and several shops. Images showed plumes of black smoke rising from the site.

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Ukrainian drones had hit a "facility" and caused a fire.

These strikes come as Ukraine intensifies its attacks on Russian infrastructure deep within Russian territory, with targets recently reported as far as the Ural Mountains. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need for continued support for Ukraine's defense and sustained pressure on Russia. "All these attacks must be stopped," Zelensky said online, sharing images of the fires. "All that's needed is sufficient support for our defence and continued pressure on Russia."

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The fire spread over 3,600 square meters, publishing images of plumes of black smoke. She said residential houses and several shops were affected.

Meanwhile, authorities in Ukraine were dealing with the aftermath of a Russian strike on a warehouse belonging to the popular postal company Nova Poshta in Dnipro. The company confirmed its branch was hit by a drone, resulting in the complete destruction of the building, though no employees were injured. The International Atomic Energy Agency also reported observing damage to the exterior of a turbine building at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant following a drone strike the previous day.

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All these attacks must be stopped. All that's needed is sufficient support for our defence and continued pressure on Russia.