Ukrainian drone strikes Russian oil refinery 1,500 km from border, Russian official claims
A Ukrainian drone struck an oil refinery in the city of Ufa in Russia's Republic of Bashkortostan, the head of the republic, Radiy Khabirov, said on Oct. 31.
According to Khabirov, three Ukrainian drones fell within the facility of the oil refinery, with one falling on the refinery itself. The drone caused minimal damage with no casualties reported, Khabirov claimed.
The Kyiv Independent cannot immediately verify the claims of the official and Ukraine has not yet commented on the alleged attack.
The incident appears to be just the second time since the start of the full-scale invasion that Ukraine attacked facilities in Bashkortostan which lies some 1,500 kilometers from the country's border.
On May 9, a Ukrainian State Security Service (SBU) source told the Kyiv Independent that long-range drone operated by the SBU attacked the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat oil refinery.
It was not immediately clear to which refinery the drone allegedly fell on during the most recent attack.
Ukrainian forces have repeatedly launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia's oil industry beginning in the spring of 2024.
The alleged strikes comes as Ukraine and Russia are reportedly holding preliminary discussions about stopping attacks on each other's energy infrastructure, the Financial Times reported on Oct. 29 — although Russia has denied being involved in the talks.
In a show of strength, Kyiv has regularly attempted to strike long-distance targets since the start of the war. In April, Ukraine hit production facilities in Russia's Tatarstan Republic, 1,300 kilometers away from the state border, while in September, Russian officials claimed that Ukrainian drones attacked targets in Murmansk Oblast, located behind the Arctic Circle.
Ukraine's Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said in April that the country has domestically-produced attack drones capable of flying over 1,000 kilometers, as Kyiv intensifies its efforts to ramp up domestic production of drones.
Fossil fuels are the primary drivers of the Russian economy and the main source of revenue for the Kremlin's war machine. Despite Western sanctions, Russia still provides oil and gas to other countries around the world, primarily India and China.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
Related posts:
Ukraine war latest: US announces new aid package; Ukrainian drones target oil depot in Russia's Stavropol Krai
Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones hit oil refinery in Russia's Saratov, HUR source says
Ukraine war latest: Russia to deploy North Korean troops to combat zone on Oct. 27-28, Kyiv says
Russian drone strikes surge, passing air defenses even into downtown Kyiv
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine confirms strike on Russian airbase in North Caucasus housing Su-34, Su-27 jets
Ukraine war latest: Russia claims capture of Selydove, Kyiv hasn't confirmed
Ukraine war latest: US won't impose new limitations on Ukraine's use of American weapons if North Korea enters war, Pentagon says
Ukraine war latest: Russia confirms North Korea's involvement in war to West, Kyiv says
About The Author
