LONDON: A Ukrainian drone struck a major oil processing plant in Russia’s Bashkiria region on Thursday from some 1,500 km away. This is its longest range drone attack since the start of the war.
Ukraine also hit two oil depots in southern Russia. Kyiv is trying to undermine Russian forces on Ukraine soil by attacking crucial Russian energy facilities. The depots were transshipment points for fuel supply to Russian troops in the nearby occupied peninsula of Crimea, a source said.
A drone attack damaged a pumping station at Gazprom’s Neftekhim Salavat oil processing, petrochemical and fertiliser complex in Bashkiria. This is Russia’s largest such plant, said state news agency RIA.
Ukraine's Drones of Freedom celebrating May 9th with their deepest strike into Russian territory yet, hitting one of the largest petrochemical refineries in the country.
Bashkortostan, 1400km from Ukraine.
Locals got footage of a huge, Cessna sized drone before strikes. pic.twitter.com/Be8wJYXgmW
— Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) May 9, 2024
The region’s governor said the plant was functioning as usual. The nearest government-held part of Ukraine is about 1,400 km away.
A Kyiv source said the drone flew a ‘record’ 1,500 km and hit a catalytic cracking unit. And it proved “Russian refineries and oil depots serving the military complex cannot feel safe even in the deep rear”.
Describing such attacks as terrorism, Moscow has launched ‘revenge strikes’ on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since mid-March.
Kyiv stepped up its drone attacks on oil processing facilities in Russia since the start of the year. This has disrupted 15% of Russia’s oil refining capacity, according to a NATO estimate in early April.
Russia has repaired some key oil refineries hit by drones, somewhat reducing the impact of the strikes.
Unable to match Russia’s vast arsenal of cruise and ballistic missiles, Kyiv has focused on developing and producing long-range drones so it can hit back at Russia.
The head of the state arms manufacturer said on Wednesday that Ukraine was producing the same number of deep strike drones as Russia.
(REUTERS)
