Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR) reported that on Sunday, Aug. 10, it carried out a long-range drone attack on the Lukoil-Ukhtaneftepererabotka oil refinery in Russia’s Komi Republic — more than 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
Sources in HUR told Kyiv Post the targeted facility plays a key role in supplying Russia’s occupying forces with fuel and lubricants.
Photo from social media
In social media popular with locals, people reported hearing several powerful explosions in the area of the refinery, followed by the arrival of fire engines, ambulances, and other emergency services.
Telegram channels in the region claimed at least one storage tank at the plant was punctured. Power outages and mobile internet disruptions were also reported in the city.
According to HUR, the strike hit an oil products reservoir, causing a spill, and damaged a gas and gas condensate processing unit used to produce propane-butane and gasoline.
Kyiv stresses that it operates in accordance with international conventions and targets only military objectives, including oil refineries that supply the Russian army.
Last Friday, a Kyiv Post source in HUR reported that two powerful explosions rocked the settlement of Afipsky in Russia’s Krasnodar region, hitting a military base of the Russian Air Defense Forces’ 90th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade.
As a result of the blasts, at least 12 Russian servicemen were killed and dozens wounded. Military equipment located on the base was also destroyed, the HUR source said.
Afipsky is a settlement in Russia’s Krasnodar region, located about 500 kilometers (310 miles) from Ukraine and roughly 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) south of Moscow.
HUR sources said that the 90th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, which was targeted in the special operation, has been taking part in Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia fronts.