Russia’s largest oil refinery in flames as Ukraine strikes Omsk, 2,500 km away from border

Ukrainian forces struck an oil refinery in Omsk, nearly 2,500 kilometers (around 1,550 miles) from Ukraine's border, overnight, the General Staff said on July 6.

The Omsk refinery was the last of Russia's 11 largest gasoline producers to be hit by Ukrainian forces, according to the military.

...

According to the military, the facility has a refining depth of around 99%, one of the highest rates in Russia, and produces a wide range of petroleum products.

The full aticle inluding a video on

https://kyivindependent.com/russias-largest-oil-refinery-in-flames-as-ukraine-strikes-omsk-2-500-km-away-from-border/

20 hours ago, Schoggibueb said:

Russia’s largest oil refinery in flames as Ukraine strikes Omsk, 2,500 km away from border

Ukrainian forces struck an oil refinery in Omsk, nearly 2,500 kilometers (around 1,550 miles) from Ukraine's border, overnight, the General Staff said on July 6.

The Omsk refinery was the last of Russia's 11 largest gasoline producers to be hit by Ukrainian forces, according to the military.

...

According to the military, the facility has a refining depth of around 99%, one of the highest rates in Russia, and produces a wide range of petroleum products.

The full aticle inluding a video on

https://kyivindependent.com/russias-largest-oil-refinery-in-flames-as-ukraine-strikes-omsk-2-500-km-away-from-border/

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russias-largest-oil-refinery-halts-processing-after-drone-attack-sources-say-2026-07-07/

Russia's largest oil refinery halts processing after drone attack, sources say

uly 7 (Reuters) - Omsk oil refinery, Russia's largest, has halted operations following a Ukrainian drone attack, two industry sources said ‌on Tuesday.

Monday's strike on the refinery, deep in Siberia, was one of Ukraine's longest-range attacks of the conflict, now well into its fifth year.

The halt in operations at the plant, which is Russia's top producer of petrol, is likely to exacerbate fuel shortages across the country.

"Facilities at the Omsk oil refinery were damaged as a ⁠result of (Monday's) attack. No plant personnel were injured," Anatoly Seryshev, President Vladimir Putin's representative in Siberia, said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Damage assessment is currently under way, and competent services have organized restoration work," Seryshev said, without spelling out how the refinery's operations were affected.

Gazprom Neft, which owns the refinery, did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

According to the sources, a crude distillation unit, CDU-10, which accounts for around 38% of the plant's production capability with a capacity of 24,580 metric tons a day, caught fire and ‌was ⁠damaged in the attack.

...

Ukraine no longer needs permission to strike Russia, foreign minister says

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Ukraine no longer needs permission from third parties to carry out long-range strikes against legitimate military targets on Russian territory.

According to him, Ukraine will continue conducting asymmetric operations using its own weapons.

"This is our right to self-defense, guaranteed by Article 51 of the UN Charter," Sybiha stresse

Finnish President Alexander Stubb previously said that NATO allies understand the reasons behind Ukraine's long-range strikes on Russia.

In his view, the campaign has changed US strategic thinking about the war and strengthened Kyiv's position in negotiations.

#

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said that US President Donald Trump began looking at the war and Ukraine's achievements differently following the country's long-range drone strikes.

Ukraine no longer needs permission to strike Russia, foreign minister says

Next two strikes

Ukrainian Army Strikes Major Russian City – Oil Plant Ablaze

The Ukrainian General Staff has confirmed striking two key facilities in the Russian region of Tatarstan. Fires broke out at the TAIF-NK refinery in the city of Nizhnekamsk, the General Staff announced on Telegram. Additionally, Ukrainian special forces reported that drones struck the Taneco oil complex in Nizhnekamsk, sparking a fire. Plumes of smoke rising from the industrial complex east of Moscow are visible for miles.

It's nice to read such positive news for Ukraine...

Ukraine is intensifying strikes on Russia's energy infrastructure, targeting refineries, fuel depots and oil tankers in a campaign aimed at undermining the economic engine that has sustained Moscow's war effort.

The strategy is piling pressure on Russia's fuel supply chain, with reports of shortages, rising prices and growing public frustration as the conflict enters its fifth year.

Kyiv Hits the Kremlin Where It Hurts

Analysts say Russia's vast energy sector has long financed its military campaign despite Western sanctions and mounting battlefield losses.

Reuters analyst Mike Dolan argues that Ukraine is now attacking that critical vulnerability. Drone strikes on refineries and logistics hubs have disrupted fuel distribution, while reports suggest Russia has even turned to imports from countries including India and Kazakhstan to ease supply pressures.

Economic Pressure Begins to Build

The fuel disruptions have yet to dent Russia's military operations, but they are increasing strain on the wider economy.

Dolan points to recent polling indicating Russians have become more pessimistic about their economic prospects than at any point in the past two decades. Whether that domestic pressure translates into political consequences for the Kremlin remains uncertain.

Tankers Come Under Fire

Ukraine has also expanded its campaign at sea, claiming to have struck multiple Russian oil tankers in the Sea of Azov over successive nights.

According to Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, drones damaged several vessels transporting fuel towards occupied Crimea. Ukrainian special operations forces said some of the tankers caught fire during the attacks, although the claims have not been independently verified.

Crimea's Fuel Network Under Pressure

If Ukraine's assessment proves accurate, the strikes could significantly disrupt fuel deliveries to Crimea, where supplies have already been tightened by earlier attacks on refineries and transport routes.

The campaign highlights Kyiv's growing focus on logistics rather than territory alone. By targeting the fuel network that powers Russia's military machine, Ukraine appears determined to increase the economic and operational cost of the war, even as Moscow responds with intensified missile and drone attacks across Ukrainian cities.

With neither side showing signs of backing down, the battle over energy infrastructure is emerging as one of the conflict's most consequential fronts, carrying implications far beyond the battlefield for regional security and global energy markets.

Ukraine has found Russia's Achilles' heel — and is now targeting it relentlessly

Russia halts diesel exports as Ukraine strikes bite

Russia has imposed an immediate ban on diesel exports in a bid to stabilise domestic fuel supplies after sustained Ukrainian drone strikes disrupted oil refineries and triggered shortages across the country. The emergency move underscores the growing economic impact of Kyiv's campaign against Russia's energy infrastructure.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak acknowledged the strain on the fuel market, telling a government meeting chaired by President Vladimir Putin that long queues at filling stations had become a source of public concern.

Fuel crisis forces Kremlin into action

The export ban came into force on Wednesday and will remain in place until July 31. Officials say the measure is intended to redirect diesel supplies to the domestic market, while Russia is also expected to begin importing fuel during July.

Existing government supply agreements, including exports to Mongolia, will be exempt. The move follows reports that Russia had already started importing gasoline by sea from India as pressure on domestic supplies intensified.

Ukraine's drone campaign hits home

Kyiv says its strikes on Russian oil refineries and fuel facilities are designed to weaken Moscow's ability to sustain the war and increase pressure for negotiations.

The attacks have coincided with mounting disruption inside Russia. Drivers in multiple regions have reportedly faced hours-long queues for fuel, while diesel and gasoline shortages have driven up prices and exposed vulnerabilities in the country's energy network.

Markets react as exports collapse

The announcement sent benchmark European diesel refining margins to a record $60.17 per barrel, reflecting fears of tighter global supplies.

Russian seaborne diesel and gasoil exports had already fallen sharply before the ban. Shipments dropped 39 per cent in June compared with the previous month and were down 46 per cent from the same period last year, according to shipping data. Early July figures point to a further decline.

Economic pressure widens beyond the battlefield

Speaking at the meeting, Putin accused Ukraine of trying to damage Russia's economy and spread public anxiety, while insisting the country's energy system remained resilient.

But the latest restrictions highlight the mounting economic costs of the war. With exports shrinking and domestic demand taking priority, Moscow is being forced to balance military resilience with growing pressure on everyday fuel supplies and international energy markets.

Russia bans diesel exports to ensure domestic supply after targeted Ukrainian drone strikes

Ukraine pounds Russia's shadow fleet in 72-hour drone blitz

Ukraine has intensified its campaign against Russia's wartime logistics, with reports claiming 19 vessels linked to Moscow's so-called shadow fleet were damaged in just 72 hours. The latest wave of drone strikes signals a growing effort to disrupt fuel transport and military supply routes far from the front line.

According to United24 Media, Ukrainian drone units carried out a large overnight operation in the Sea of Azov late on July 8, targeting ships involved in Russia's maritime logistics network.

Shadow fleet comes under sustained attack

The operation reportedly damaged nine Russian tankers, bringing the total number of vessels hit over three days to 19. A cargo ship and a ferry were also reportedly struck during the latest attacks.

The Birds of Madyar drone unit led the operation alongside other branches of Ukraine's armed forces. Commander Robert Brovdi said Ukrainian forces successfully hit 53 military targets across occupied Crimea and southern Ukraine during the same night.

Energy network also in the crosshairs

Brovdi said the strikes formed part of the ongoing "Crimean Switch Off" campaign, which targets Russian-controlled energy infrastructure.

According to his statement, six additional electrical substations were hit overnight, raising the total number of energy facilities struck between July 1 and July 8 to 50. Ukrainian officials say the wider campaign is intended to weaken Russia's military logistics and operational capacity.

Russia confirms tanker damage

Russian authorities acknowledged part of the overnight assault. Rostov region Governor Yury Slyusar said two tankers were damaged in Taganrog Bay but stressed both vessels were travelling empty, preventing any fuel spill.

He also reported that two people were injured. One was treated at the scene while the other was taken to hospital before later declining further treatment.

Pressure mounts beyond the battlefield

The latest strikes reportedly affected 11 districts across Russia's Rostov region as Ukraine expands its long-range drone operations.

The attacks are part of a broader campaign authorised by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aimed at disrupting Russian military logistics, energy infrastructure and defence facilities. By targeting the networks that keep Moscow's forces supplied, Kyiv is seeking to increase pressure well beyond the front lines.

Putin's shadow fleet is suffering — 19 ships hit in 72 hours

Ukraine has two months to end war before Russia escalates, Czech president says

Ukrainian authorities have only two months to end the war with Russia. If that does not happen, the Kremlin may decide on a serious escalation, Czech President Petr Pavel said, according to The Telegraph.

Pavel said that Russian President Vladimir Putin may announce a general mobilization after Russia's parliamentary elections, scheduled for September 20.

"I believe that the window is there for us to keep pushing and giving Russia a clear message that we are willing to start negotiations," the Czech president stressed.

In his opinion, Putin is unlikely to decide to announce mobilization before the parliamentary elections are over.

"Russia will have parliamentary elections in September. President Putin will hardly declare mobilization before, but once the elections are over, then the window will shrink," Pavel warned.

He suggested that mobilization would be extremely unpopular among Russian voters.

Against this background, Pavel called on allies to use pressure on Russia to secure peace talks in the coming weeks.

"Russia has a lot of internal problems and challenges at this point. The Russian public is turning increasingly against the war. President Putin will have difficulties keeping calm at home," the Czech president believes.

Ukraine has two months to end war before Russia escalates, Czech president says

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/s/NQDYibr01B

Plane, trains, trucks and now massive amount of ships being targeted and hit.

They've lifted their drone capabilities multiple times of what they had even 6 months ago

Ukraine is creating a dedicated long-range military command to expand deep strikes inside Russia, as Kyiv seeks to further disrupt Moscow's energy industry, logistics network and ability to sustain the war.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the move on July 10, saying the new structure would concentrate resources on reducing Russia's capacity to continue its full-scale invasion.

New command targets Russia's war machine

In his evening address, Zelensky said he had signed a decree establishing a special command responsible for long-range operations against Russia.

He said the unit would focus entirely on degrading Moscow's military and economic capabilities. The announcement formalises a campaign that has seen Ukrainian drones strike oil refineries, fuel depots and transport infrastructure hundreds of miles beyond the front line.

Energy infrastructure under sustained attack

Ukraine has reported near-daily strikes in recent weeks as it intensifies attacks on Russia's energy sector, which Kyiv describes as a legitimate source of funding for the Kremlin's war effort.

According to Ukraine's General Staff, recent operations targeted the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region, the Ust-Luga oil refining complex near St Petersburg, and fuel facilities in the Rostov region. Officials said the attacks caused explosions and fires at multiple sites.

Economic pressure begins to build

The campaign is increasingly affecting Russia's domestic fuel market. Moscow has already introduced a temporary diesel export ban to protect local supplies after refinery disruptions and fuel shortages.

Reuters reported that Russian gasoline production has fallen to around 65% of capacity, citing industry sources and its own calculations. Separately, Ukraine said it had struck multiple fuel tankers in the Sea of Azov, while industry sources reported that Russia temporarily suspended shipping through a key channel linking the Don River to the Sea of Azov.

War enters a new phase

Kyiv argues the strikes are intended to increase pressure on the Kremlin and force meaningful negotiations. Zelensky said there are figures within President Vladimir Putin's inner circle who understand that peace is the only viable outcome.

Despite the growing reach of Ukraine's drone campaign, the wider battlefield remains finely balanced. Ukraine continues to face regular Russian ballistic missile attacks and remains heavily dependent on strengthening its own air defences as the conflict enters another critical stage.

Ukraine creates 'long-range' command to step up strikes on Russia

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/s/WL2KAkAGq5

Targeting the bridge/control of the ships to disable them not to sink them.

Meantime in ukradnina ....

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/s/w9yN4QF6cI

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/s/DcGmw5UTKF

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/s/mcMShCWTCc

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/s/QllkYjLwgI

Refineries, ships, ferry's, truck transport

The drone forces are operating pretty much unrestricted

If they can find a fix for the missiles hitting Kyiv it's Ukraine deciding the tempo of the war

Russia has suspended shipping through the strategically vital Sea of Azov after an intense wave of Ukrainian drone strikes targeted dozens of vessels, energy sites and transport links, escalating Kyiv's campaign to cripple Moscow's wartime logistics.

Ukraine says nearly 90 vessels have been hit in less than a week, with the latest attacks striking tankers, ferries and an oil refinery as pressure mounts on Russia's military supply network.

Ukraine says drones struck 14 Russian shadow fleet vessels | Watch

Shipping Corridor Grinds To A Halt

Ukraine's drone forces commander, Robert Brovdi, said his units struck 10 tankers and four ferries overnight, alongside a major oil refinery in Syzran and electricity substations in occupied Crimea.

Reuters reported that Russia suspended shipping through the Don-Azov canal on Friday, disrupting a crucial export route linking the Sea of Azov with Russia's inland river network, the Kerch Strait and international markets. The corridor is central to transporting oil, grain and other commodities.

Kyiv Targets Russia's Lifeline

Brovdi claimed Russia's so-called shadow fleet, used to move sanctioned oil exports, was shrinking under sustained Ukrainian attacks and could no longer operate freely through the Kerch Strait.

Former Ukrainian defence minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk said the disruption had cut off a critical maritime corridor used to supply military forces and transport grain from occupied Ukrainian territory. He argued the closure had effectively trapped Russian shipping operating through the Caspian Sea network.

Energy Infrastructure Under Relentless Pressure

Residents in Syzran reported explosions before dawn, with images showing a major fire and thick smoke rising from the city's oil refinery. Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted refineries, fuel depots and transport hubs as part of a long-range campaign against Russia's energy sector.

Analysts say the strategy aims to degrade Moscow's ability to sustain offensive operations by disrupting fuel supplies, logistics and transport infrastructure rather than seeking immediate battlefield gains.

Smoke rises after what the Ukrainian authorities say was a drone strike on a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the Sea of Azov. Photograph: Commander of Unmanned Aerial Systems Force/Reuters© Photograph: Commander of Unmanned Aerial Systems Force/Reuters

Pressure Mounts On Both Sides

The strikes have reportedly contributed to fuel shortages and power disruptions in occupied Crimea while forcing Russia to adapt shipping routes and reinforce vulnerable infrastructure.

Despite Ukraine's growing reach deep inside Russian territory, Moscow continues its aerial assaults. Overnight Russian attacks killed civilians in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk and Kherson regions, underlining that both sides remain locked in an increasingly expansive war of attrition stretching far beyond the front line.

Ukrainian drone strikes force Russia to suspend shipping in Sea of Azov

22 hours ago, t0mt0m said:

Meantime in ukradnina ....

LOL. Source: Literal Kremlin propagandist. These people have no shame.

Anyway, unlike in RuZZia, Ukrainians actually have a right to protest, and are allowed to. There were actual protests when the anti-corruption bureaus seemed to be getting nerfed, and the government changed course. See, unlike brutal dictatorship Russia, Ukraine is a democracy.

This is why we need to support Ukraine, and why it's vital that Ukraine successfully defend themselves.

Anyone who cheers for Russia is a war-loving dictatorship-simp.

Edited July 13Jul 13 by weejun

2 hours ago, weejun said:

LOL. Source: Literal Kremlin propagandist. These people have no shame.

Anyway, unlike in RuZZia, Ukrainians actually have a right to protest, and are allowed to. There were actual protests when the anti-corruption bureaus seemed to be getting nerfed, and the government changed course. See, unlike brutal dictatorship Russia, Ukraine is a democracy.

This is why we need to support Ukraine, and why it's vital that Ukraine successfully defend themselves.

Anyone who cheers for Russia is a war-loving dictatorship-simp.

LOL, don't make me laugh. You can sell all this BS only to mentally handicapped banderites and ukrakophiles brainwashed by propaganda tube, straight from vile banderite regime in Kiev.

This is what average ukrainian people thinking about your war, banderite.

11 hours ago, t0mt0m said:

LOL, don't make me laugh. You can sell all this BS only to mentally handicapped banderites and ukrakophiles brainwashed by propaganda tube, straight from vile banderite regime in Kiev.

This is what average ukrainian people thinking about your war, banderite.

Wow, you are very aggressive. What's the problem? And why do you keep repeating "banderite" all the time?

And "your" war? I didn't invade Ukraine. Russia did.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/s/oJWjah80C1

In the "first combat mission of this type known," a Ukrainian sea drone delivered a ground drone to Russian-held territory on the Kinburn Spit, Ukraine's 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade said on July 13.

"A ground-based robotic complex was delivered to the enemy shore by an unmanned sea platform, landed on the occupied territory and used to perform a combat mission," the brigade said in a post on social media.

"This is a new approach to war, where the most dangerous tasks are performed by a machine, and the Ukrainian military creates new rules of modern combat," it added.

Ground drones are becoming an increasingly important part of Ukraine’s war effort, helping transport supplies, evacuate wounded soldiers, clear mines, and carry out combat missions without putting troops at risk.

In a video accompanying the post, the ground drone is seen disembarking a sea drone on the shore at the Kinburn Spit. It is later seen firing at a target, but no details were given about damage or casualties it caused.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/s/5QreOLfGPW

This is worth a watch

The Russian armed forces aren't as powerful as Putin makes them out to be. They will certainly regain their status though if the great equalizer comes into play, Nuclear.

3 hours ago, Rams86 said:

The Russian armed forces aren't as powerful as Putin makes them out to be. They will certainly regain their status though if the great equalizer comes into play, Nuclear.

This rehashed threat from Kremlin propaganda - trotted out time and again - is utter nonsense.

Prevailing winds across the Ukraine-Russia border generally blow from west to east and go deep into Russian territory.

Last but not least:

Beijing will never authorize such a deployment.

Ukraine shifts Crimea strategy to choke Russian supply lines

Russian oil depot on fire following a UAV strike on the occupied city of Kerch, Crimea, June 21, 2026

Ukraine has unveiled a broader strategy to weaken Russia's grip on occupied Crimea, focusing on cutting military supply routes rather than destroying the Kerch Bridge.

The plan, outlined by Unmanned Systems Forces commander Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, centres on isolating the peninsula by targeting fuel shipments, logistics hubs and vessels supporting Russian military operations.

Logistics Become the New Battlefield

Speaking in an interview with British journalist Caolan Robertson, Brovdi said Ukrainian forces are deliberately concentrating on disrupting the network that keeps Russian troops supplied in Crimea.

He argued that fuel, ammunition, personnel and military equipment flowing into the occupied peninsula are now the primary targets. "There is no fuel in Crimea, and there will be none there," he said, describing the campaign as a systematic effort to make Russia's military presence increasingly difficult to sustain.

Brovdi also claimed Ukraine is intentionally avoiding attacks on the Crimean Bridge, instead allowing it to remain open while striking the wider logistics system feeding Russian forces.

Remote Campaign Intensifies

According to the commander, the objective is to isolate Crimea without launching a costly ground offensive or risking Ukrainian soldiers' lives.

He said Ukraine's growing drone capabilities are allowing it to attack supply routes remotely, creating what he described as the conditions for the peninsula's effective isolation.

The campaign also extends to Russian fuel tankers. Brovdi said Ukrainian forces would continue targeting vessels transporting fuel to Crimea as part of the wider effort to erode Moscow's logistical capacity.

Wave of Strikes Builds Pressure

Ukraine says the maritime campaign has intensified sharply in recent days. During operations between 6 and 11 July, Brovdi claimed Ukrainian forces struck 76 Russian vessels.

Ukraine's General Staff has separately reported attacks on tankers, tugboats, bulk carriers and other ships allegedly used for military logistics and sanctions evasion. Additional strikes were also reported on oil infrastructure and ammunition depots linked to Russian operations in the Sea of Azov.

If sustained, the strategy could increase pressure on Russian forces in southern Ukraine by disrupting the flow of fuel and supplies while avoiding the risks of a direct assault on heavily defended positions in occupied Crimea.

Ukraine outlines broader strategy for weakening Russia's grip on Crimea

Unmanned Systems Forces strike 11 more Russian vessels in Sea of Azov overnight

The Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck 11 more Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov overnight on July 14.

According to Ukrinform, Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, reported this on Facebook.

He said the targets included five tankers, five dry cargo ships, and a tugboat.

In total, over the past nine days, the Unmanned Systems Forces have struck 116 vessels, Brovdi added.

https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4144059-unmanned-systems-forces-strike-11-more-russian-vessels-in-sea-of-azov-overnight.html

Russia has reportedly withdrawn at least 24 air-defence launchers from the country's most important nuclear submarine shipyard, highlighting the growing strain Ukraine's long-range drone campaign is placing on the Kremlin's military resources.

New satellite analysis suggests major S-300 and S-400 missile systems have disappeared from Severodvinsk, home to the shipyards that build and maintain Russia's nuclear-powered submarine fleet. The apparent redeployment points to difficult choices as Moscow seeks to shield more immediate targets from escalating Ukrainian attacks.

Strategic Stronghold Left Exposed

According to the Barents Observer, two key air-defence sites protecting Severodvinsk now stand empty, with missile launchers and radar systems no longer visible in recent satellite imagery.

The systems are believed to have been moved south, potentially to reinforce air defences around Moscow or Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine. If confirmed, the move would leave one of Russia's most strategically significant naval facilities with reduced protection.

Ukraine Forces a Costly Trade-Off

Military analyst Kristian Åtland said Russia is consuming interceptor missiles faster than its defence industry can replenish them as it attempts to counter increasingly frequent Ukrainian drone and missile strikes deep inside Russian territory.

The pressure is forcing Moscow to prioritise where its most advanced air-defence systems are deployed. A commander from the Severodvinsk air-defence regiment was recently killed in occupied Crimea, adding weight to claims that units have been reassigned far from their original bases.

Front Line Demands Reshape Russia's Defences

The reported redeployment follows earlier claims that S-400 systems were transferred from Russia's Kaliningrad exclave to support operations closer to the war zone.

At the same time, Ukraine continues to expand the range of its drone strikes, targeting military and energy infrastructure hundreds of miles inside Russia. Analysts say Moscow increasingly lacks the resources to provide comprehensive protection for every strategic site.

Pressure Builds Across Russia

The reported shift underlines the widening impact of Ukraine's long-range campaign. As Russia concentrates its air-defence assets around the most immediate threats, previously secure regions are becoming more exposed, illustrating the growing pressure on the Kremlin's ability to defend critical infrastructure while sustaining its war effort.

Putin on his heels: Russia moves at least 24 air defense systems from its only nuclear submarine shipyard

Ukraine has launched a sustained wave of drone strikes against Russian shipping, claiming to have targeted 136 vessels in just nine days, including 20 overnight attacks. The campaign is piling fresh pressure on Moscow's logistics network, disrupting maritime traffic and raising fears of a major Russian retaliation.

The latest strikes come as Kyiv intensifies efforts to choke off fuel supplies and military transport routes supporting Russian forces in occupied southern Ukraine.

Crimea Supply Lifeline Comes Under Fire

Ukrainian attacks have disrupted shipping through the Kerch Strait, the vital waterway linking Russia to occupied Crimea. The pressure is forcing Moscow to divert resources to protect maritime routes while complicating the movement of fuel, ammunition and military equipment into the peninsula.

Among the reported overnight targets were 17 oil tankers operating in the Black Sea. The strikes form part of Ukraine's wider campaign against Russia's energy infrastructure, following months of attacks on refineries and fuel depots designed to weaken the Kremlin's war economy.

Economic Pressure Meets Military Strategy

Sources cited by the Daily Mirror suggested Ukrainian operators are aiming to disable rather than destroy some vessels outright, forcing lengthy repairs while increasing insurance costs and disrupting commercial traffic.

The strategy seeks to erode Russia's ability to finance and sustain its war while making Crimea a less reliable logistics hub for forces fighting in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

Reports have also described fuel shortages and long queues at petrol stations in parts of Russia as pressure grows on domestic supply chains.

Moscow Warns of Retaliation

Russia has condemned the maritime attacks, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov describing them as acts of terrorism despite Moscow's continued strikes on Ukrainian territory.

President Vladimir Putin has warned that any attacks on Russian territory will be met with retaliatory strikes "several times more powerful", fuelling concerns that Ukraine could face another wave of missile and drone bombardments.

Fighting Intensifies on Both Fronts

As the maritime campaign gathers pace, Russian forces continue to strike Ukrainian civilian areas. Authorities said at least three people were killed and seven wounded after guided aerial bombs hit the northern Sumy region.

The latest exchanges underline the widening scope of the war, with both sides increasingly targeting the infrastructure and supply networks they see as critical to sustaining the conflict.

Ukraine hits over 100 Russian sea vessels in just days leaving Putin fuming

Food prices do have the Russian people awaking to War

Ukraine Strikes Deep Into Russia, Targeting Fuel Instead of Bombers

Ukraine has carried out a long-range strike on one of Russia's most important strategic air bases, reportedly targeting fuel infrastructure rather than the nuclear-capable bombers stationed there. The attack underscores Kyiv's growing focus on disrupting Russia's military logistics instead of chasing high-profile aircraft.

The overnight strike reportedly hit Engels-2 air base in Russia's Saratov region, around 700 kilometres from the Ukrainian border. The base is home to Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic bombers frequently used to launch cruise missile attacks against Ukraine.

Fuel, Not Aircraft, in the Crosshairs

According to open-source analysts and Ukrainian media reports, the attack focused on fuel depots and support infrastructure rather than the bombers themselves. Social media footage reviewed after the strike appeared to show explosions in storage areas used to sustain operations at the base.

Military analysts say the choice of target reflects a broader strategy. Damaging fuel supplies and maintenance facilities can reduce the effectiveness of aircraft without the need to destroy the planes themselves.

Long-Range Strategy Takes Shape

Engels-2 is regarded as one of Russia's most significant strategic aviation hubs. Alongside its bomber fleet, the base stores fuel, equipment and maintenance facilities essential to keeping long-range aircraft operational.

The reported strike follows a series of Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, including oil depots and refineries. Kyiv has increasingly sought to weaken the logistical network supporting Moscow's war effort while forcing Russia to divert resources to defend sites deep inside its own territory.

Mystery Drone Raises New Questions

The exact weapon used in the attack has not been officially confirmed. Images circulating online prompted speculation among analysts, with some suggesting the aircraft resembled a Shahed-style drone, although no independent verification has been provided.

The strike highlights Ukraine's expanding ability to project force far beyond the front line. By targeting the infrastructure that keeps Russia's strategic bombers flying, Kyiv appears to be betting that disrupting logistics can have a longer-lasting impact than attacking individual aircraft, while increasing pressure on Moscow's ability to sustain its air campaign.

Ukraine bombed Putin's air base — but completely ignored the planes

The Moscow region has been hit by a massive drone strike that has left an oil refinery burning and led to the evacuation of a maternity hospital and apartment block, according to the area's Governor.

The attack, believed to be a long range assault from Ukraine, caused multiple explosions with 28 reportedly injured.

Andrey Vorobyov, Governor of the Moscow Region, said a total of 48 drones were shot down over the area overnight. He said the most serious consequences were in the Bogorodsky urban district, where a drone crash sparked a fire at an oil depot in Noginsk.

A maternity hospital near the incident was evacuated as a precaution, with all patients and staff quickly transferred to other medical facilities.

Women requiring specialised care were taken to hospitals in Noginsk, Balashikha and Shchelkovo, while residents of an apartment building on Radchenko Street were also evacuated.

Eyewitnesses shared footage showing flames and explosions at an oil depot in Noginsk. The facility contains 24 storage tanks with a combined capacity of 11,500 cubic metres.

Videos shared online appear to show huge plumes of black smoke rising above the depot as flames engulfed the site.

The depot is understood to be one of the Moscow region's key fuel storage and logistics hubs, with traders and fuel companies using the site to store and transport petroleum products.

Vorobyov said 40 ambulance crews and 12 teams from the regional disaster medicine centre had been deployed, while emergency services, police and municipal workers continued clearing the aftermath of the attack and surveying the affected area.

Moscow area on fire after huge drone attack as depot burns and hospital evacuated

Ukrainian drones strike Wildberries warehouses again

A still taken from a social media video verified by Reuters shows smoke rising above a warehouse

Ukraine has launched fresh drone strikes on logistics hubs belonging to Russia's largest online retailer, Wildberries, injuring at least 15 people and intensifying its campaign against infrastructure Kyiv says supports Moscow's war effort.

The overnight attacks hit warehouse complexes in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk, just four days after previous strikes on Wildberries facilities left eight people dead and dozens injured.

Logistics Network Comes Under Fire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the operation targeted logistics hubs in the Krasnodar and Stavropol regions that were involved in supplying the Russian military with drone components, navigation equipment and other equipment.

Wildberries founder Tatyana Kim confirmed the attacks on the company's logistics centres, saying workers had been evacuated. She condemned the strikes, describing them as attacks on employees "simply doing our jobs".

Injuries Mount Across Southern Russia

Regional officials said five people were injured at the Nevinnomyssk warehouse and received outpatient treatment. In Krasnodar, Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said 10 people were hurt, with three reported to be in a serious condition.

Verified footage showed large fires engulfing both warehouse sites. Videos from Krasnodar captured thick black smoke rising into the sky, while footage from Nevinnomyssk showed explosions and flames spreading through the complex.

Broader Wave of Attacks

Authorities said Krasnodar region faced a wider overnight drone assault. An employee was killed after drone debris struck a company site in Armavir, while officials also reported a fire at an oil depot.

Drone fragments damaged residential buildings in Krasnodar and nearby Dinskaya village, although no civilian injuries were reported in those incidents.

Pressure Builds on Russian Supply Chains

Zelensky also said Ukrainian forces struck an oil depot, a tanker and four cargo vessels linked to Russia's so-called shadow fleet operating in the Black and Azov Seas.

Military analysts say Ukraine is increasingly targeting logistics infrastructure that supports Russian operations. Serhii Kuzan, chairman of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre, has argued that disrupting Wildberries' warehouse network could hamper the movement of dual-use goods and military equipment while increasing economic pressure on Russia as the war enters a new phase.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c36de9n4pxpo

A Beautiful shot of the Wildberries facility going up in flames.

Wildberries is the Amazon of russia, and is also used by the russian military as a logistics center = valid military target