Ukraine Intensifies Drone Strikes on Russian Energy Hubs

Ukraine escalated its offensive on Russian energy infrastructure through a series of drone attacks, prompting air traffic disturbances and directing several drones towards Moscow for the third consecutive night, Russian authorities reported on Wednesday.

According to Ukraine's General Staff, these operations targeted multiple facilities, including Mariysky refinery in the Mari El region, another in Novospasskoye within the Ulyanovsk region, and a gas plant in Budyonnovsk, located in the southern Stavropol region. The Russian defense ministry claimed to have intercepted and destroyed 100 Ukrainian drones, six of which were over the Moscow vicinity.

Kyiv's ongoing strategy of long-range drone strikes seeks to disrupt Russia's military, energy, and industrial capabilities, hence undermining its war economy. A drone striking a fuel container in Simferopol, Crimea, highlights Kyiv's reach. Despite significant damage, no casualties were reported, and emergency services are actively responding, according to local reports.