Moscow: In a dramatic escalation of tensions, a Ukrainian drone strike targeted a refinery in Russia’s Volgograd region, sparking a fire within the complex, as confirmed by the regional governor on Sunday.
The Russian defence ministry disclosed that overnight interceptions thwarted eight drone attacks, including one aimed at the southern Volgograd region.
Governor Andrey Bocharov took to Telegram to report, “During the night of May 12, the air defence and electronic warfare forces fought off a drone on the territory of the Volgograd region.” He added, “The consequences from the fall of a drone followed by a detonation caused a fire on the site of the Volgograd oil refinery.”
Bocharov reassured the public that the fire had been successfully extinguished, with no reported casualties.
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The Volgograd refinery, under the ownership of Lukoil, boasts as the largest producer of oil products in southwest Russia, according to its website. This incident echoes a similar attack in February, where authorities also confirmed no casualties.
Ukraine’s drone attacks have surged this year, reflecting efforts to counterbalance a shortage of military resources and personnel, more than two years after Russia initiated a military offensive against its neighbor.
As Ukrainian forces intensify operations both within Russia and in Russia-held territories of Ukraine, energy facilities have emerged as prime targets.
Ukraine asserts that these attacks serve as retaliation against Russia’s alleged targeting of civilians.
