Tensions Rise Amid Mutual Drone Strikes Between Ukraine and Russia

Ukraine has challenged Russia’s assertion that a Ukrainian drone attacked the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, as Kyiv launched new attacks on Russian energy facilities.

On Sunday, Ukraine’s General Staff reported that Ukrainian drones hit the Saratov oil refinery in southwestern Russia, causing a significant fire. The refinery, which supplies fuel to Russia’s military activities, is part of Rosneft, Russia’s state oil enterprise, producing diesel, gasoline, and more. Despite local governor Roman Busargin acknowledging damage to civilian infrastructure, details remain sparse. Independent Russian news channel Astra confirmed a fire at the oil refinery.

Ukraine has intensified assaults on Russia’s oil and gas facilities, arguing that the energy sector finances and supports Moscow’s extensive invasion.

Drone wreckage also set a fuel depot ablaze in Russia’s Rostov region, adjacent to Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine, as reported by local governor Yuriy Slyusar on Sunday through Telegram. Nearby residents were evacuated. Ukraine’s General Staff admitted responsibility for the attack on the facility in Matveev Kurgan, where a drone strike triggered a large fire.

Furthermore, Ukraine targeted the Lazarevo pumping station in Russia’s Kirov region, located northeast of Moscow and over 745 miles from Ukrainian-controlled areas. This facility is crucial for transporting Russian oil from Siberia to Belarus. Local governor Alexander Sokolov confirmed drone strikes but provided no specifics.

Kyiv has rejected Russian claims that a Ukrainian drone hit the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Russia’s nuclear energy company, Rosatom, alleged that the drone caused damage to a turbine hall. Rosatom’s CEO, Alexei Likhachev, labeled the attack as deliberate, suggesting the drone detonated after puncturing a wall. However, he noted no significant harm to primary equipment.

Ukraine’s military denied targeting the plant, branding Russia’s claim as false propaganda. A military statement emphasized adherence to international humanitarian law and awareness of potential consequences related to nuclear facilities. There was no active fighting or use of weapons near the incident site.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), expressed deep concern about the incident. The Zaporizhzhia plant, captured by Russian forces early in the war, is near the southern Zaporizhzhia front lines. The area has seen frequent attacks since Russia’s invasion, raising fears of potential nuclear accidents. Both Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of intentionally targeting the site.

Ukraine’s state nuclear agency insists the damage report must undergo verification by IAEA experts monitoring the Zaporizhzhia plant.

Elsewhere, Ukraine’s air force claimed to have intercepted and destroyed 212 out of 299 drones launched by Russia. They reported that 14 drones hit their targets, while debris fell in five areas. Russian drone attacks sparked fires in Dnipro city and an oil refinery in Ukraine’s Rivne region. Oleksandr Koval, Rivne’s regional administrator, confirmed no injuries at the refinery, with emergency services responding to the blaze.