Ukrainian Strikes Target Oil Infrastructure in Russia and Crimea
Poinews.com – Ukrainian and Russian officials confirmed that Kyiv’s military launched strikes on oil facilities in Russia and occupied Crimea, escalating efforts to inflict economic pressure on Moscow amid the ongoing conflict. These attacks, part of a broader strategy to counter the full-scale invasion, reportedly damaged key energy infrastructure in southern Russian regions and the Crimean Peninsula.
Incidents in Southern Russia
The General Staff of Ukraine reported that overnight operations targeted the Grushovaya oil transshipment base in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai, a major hub for petroleum products in the south. Russian local authorities noted that a Ukrainian drone ignited the fire at the site, though they did not disclose the scale of the damage. They added that 130 emergency personnel were deployed to extinguish the blaze, with no reported injuries.
“There are indeed certain problems at the moment. Measures are being taken,” stated Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, addressing concerns over fuel shortages in Crimea.
Additionally, strikes hit the Krasny Yar “linear production and dispatching station” in the Volgograd region, causing a fire at the facility. While the Russian governor, Andrei Bocharov, did not detail the station’s function, he confirmed that no one was injured in the incident.
Crimea Strikes Disrupt Russian Military Supplies
Ukraine also targeted the Semykolodezkaya oil base in the Crimean Peninsula, damaging fuel reserves critical to the Russian military. A separate attack occurred near the Feodosia oil depot in Crimea, further complicating Moscow’s energy logistics in the region.
Meanwhile, Russian strikes in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region claimed three lives and injured ten others. Kharkiv’s governor, Oleg Synegubov, shared on Telegram that the city of Chuguiv was hit, with fires damaging at least 18 vehicles and residential buildings. The mayor of Kharkiv reported an additional 10 civilian injuries.
“The enemy has hit the city of Chuguiv,” wrote Kharkiv regional governor Oleg Synegubov on Telegram. “The strikes caused fires and damaged at least 18 vehicles; windows were blown out and building facades damaged in residential multi-storey buildings.”
As daily Russian attacks intensify, Ukraine has retaliated with drone strikes deeper into Russian territory, focusing on military and energy targets. According to a UN report from April, the war has resulted in at least 15,850 civilian deaths in Ukraine since February 2022, while over 2,800 civilians perished in Russian-controlled areas. The toll also includes more than 44,800 wounded individuals across both zones.
EU Expands Sanctions Against Russia
In a separate development, the European Union’s foreign policy chief announced new sanctions targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex, human rights abusers, and propagandists. The proposed measures include 80 listings, with Kaja Kallas noting that Western sanctions have already drained Moscow’s economy by an estimated $1.2 to $1.5 trillion (€1.04 to €1.3 billion).
