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Ukraine carried out strikes on two Russian oil refineries on Saturday night, as it continues to target Moscow’s energy industry.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his forces hit the Slavyansk oil refinery in the Krasnodar Krai region as well as a refinery in the Yaroslavl region.
“We continue our operations that weaken Russia’s ability to wage this war,” he wrote in a post on X. “Each of our long-range sanctions means fewer resources serving Russia’s war machine, and another step toward peace”.
Zelenskyy also posted video footage appearing to show the strikes. Huge plumes of black smoke and fire can be seen in the distance.
Krasnodar Krai region’s Emergency Operations Centre had earlier reported a fire at a refinery in the town of Slavyansk-on-Kuban.
It said falling drone debris caused the blaze and damaged a power line in the area. No injuries had so far been reported, it added.
Kyiv has ramped up attacks on Russia’s energy industry in recent months, targeting oil facilities such as refineries, terminals and depots as it seeks to hamper one of Russia’s most crucial sources of income.
In Russian-occupied Crimea, the effects of Kyiv’s strikes have already sparked a fuel crisis, with long queues for petrol stations and limited supply.
It comes after Ukraine’s air force said local air defences shot down six Russian ballistic missiles, one anti-ship missile and 125 drones overnight. The service said one missile and 14 attack drones struck 11 locations.
On Saturday, Zelenskyy said Russia had launched 1,400 attack drones, almost 1,500 guided aerial bombs, and 19 missiles against Ukraine over the last week, targeting 15 regions.