Sources within Ukrainian special services told Kyiv Post that early Wednesday, April 24, two fuel storage facilities in Yartsevo and Razdorovo, located in the Smolensk region of Russia, were hit by drones, allegedly operated by the SBU.
The attacks resulted in the destruction of 26,000 cubic meters of Russian fuel stored at these facilities.
The explosions triggered large-scale fires, prompting the evacuation of personnel from the sites.
"The SBU continues to effectively target the military infrastructure and logistics supporting the Russian army in Ukraine. These facilities are and will remain our legitimate targets," a source stated.
Locals in the Yartsevsky district reported hearing a series of explosions near the village of Razdorovo, 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the city of Smolensk, followed by a glow and smoke from the oil depot.
Governor Vasily Anokhin earlier stated that fires occurred at fuel and energy facilities in two districts.
“In all likelihood, an enemy attack caused the fires at civilian fuel and energy facilities in the Smolensky and Yartsevsky districts. The Ministry of Emergency Situations is on-site, managing the situation. I urge everyone to remain calm and avoid panic,” the governor wrote.
Videos posted by local residents showed a massive fire at the refinery. One commenter on the video remarked, “Morning doesn't start with coffee.”
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According to Governor Anokhin, there were no casualties or injuries from the reported UAV attack.
“Rescue and law enforcement services are currently on site, dealing with the aftermath and investigating the incident,” Anokhin wrote on his Telegram.
Another oil depot in the Voronezh region could have been hit by the drone attack as well. Multiple videos on social media allegedly show a fire at an oil storage facility after a UAV attack. Kyiv Post has not yet confirmed the authenticity of the footage.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that eight Ukrainian drones were destroyed across the country overnight: three over the Kursk region, two over the Belgorod region, two over the Voronezh region, and one over the Smolensk region.
The head of the Lipetsk region, Igor Artamonov, announced the introduction of a threat level due to a “drone crash” in an industrial zone in Lipetsk.
On the night of April 20, an oil depot owned by Lukoil burned in the Smolensk region, approximately 284 kilometers (176 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
For that attack, sources within Ukrainian special services informed Kyiv Post that Ukraine used kamikaze drones to strike at the energy infrastructure supplying facilities of the Russian military-industrial complex. The operation resulted in damage to electric substations and a fuel storage base within Russia.
The large-scale drone attack in eight Russian regions is a joint operation involving the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense (HUR), the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and the Special Operations Forces (SSO).
The primary objective was to disrupt the energy infrastructure supporting Russian military industry facilities. Following the attacks, certain areas reportedly experienced disruptions in electricity and water supply.
Sources indicate that as a result of the special operation, at least three electrical substations and a fuel storage base were affected, resulting in fires. Specifically, targets included an oil refinery in the Smolensk region, as well as electric substations in Kaluga and Bryansk.
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Comments (7)
Very strategic to get as much of this done before the additional USA funding starts flowing. As with USA's past gimping of donated weaponry (himar range limited) and request to not attack russian oil, this latest aid could also be used as their leverage in to relegating Ukraine to being a russian punching bag. Defence is great, but it will not win the war. Allies funding million dollar defensive missiles to take down much cheaper russian drones and missiles is not a winning strategy.
The war is won when the russians feel the pain they inflict on Ukraine in near real time and final rise up to stop their mad tyrant leader. Putin's missile launch buttons needs to be figuratively wired to his genitals. Putin pushing missile button to launch missile at Ukraine = severe putin groan pain.
Ukraine and its global civilian supporters (and a growing number of allied leadership), have had it with the purely defensive strategy. We have had it with allies not shooting down russian missiles, planes and vessels crossing their territory. We have had it with not sending Ukraine sufficient offensive weapons.
Russia started the war. They continue their aggression within. They are literally begging to be bombed themselves. Thats the terms of war. You bomb us, we bomb you. Why would an ally constrain Ukraine's response?
Make it so Ukraine...bomb the hell out of anything russian needs to feed its war machine.
Ha! John the Loon From Canada has left the building. Good riddance asshole. You won’t be missed.
@RUSSIANS WHINING UKRAINE HIT A “CIVILIAN” OIL FACILITY,
As always, I accept the attention as a form of flattery Troll 'jack'.
It's hard to believe that such a humble Ukraine supporting volunteer as myself can have such impact on putin's MRGA's trolls' psyche. You are becoming growingly emotional, and with that I suppose all your health negating stress markers are rising.
I'm just using my spare time to debunk and tie up MRGA troll time. I like wasting the salary putin pays you. I also enjoy researching stuff and debunking the MRGA spread falsehoods.
You should learn to reframe Ukraine's allied support in a more positive light before you give yourself a heart attack. Perhaps at least think of these debunking lessons as a means of re-educating yourself out of a MRGA trolls otherwise brainwashed state. If you are a good student you will latter be better able to assimilate back into the civilized world. As for the USA's newly donated ATACMS to Ukraine, think of how those will help you improve your shovelling skills.
As Monty Python has sung:
"Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best
And
Always look on the bright side of life"
The claim is a “civilian” oil facility. This is war. What an asinine comment. But it’s a Russian. What do you expect?
Ukraine needs to go all out to cripple Novorossiysk to cut Russian oil exports and income
Putin will know what he did to Ukraine and to his own people.
Poetin zal weten wat hij de Oekraïners èn zijn eigen volk heeft aangedaan.
Must be careless orc smokers.