According to Russian officials and Ukrainian forces, the Ukrainian drone struck one of Russia’s largest oil refineries overnight, causing a fire.
The strike at the Kirishi refinery in the Leningrad region of Russia’s northwestern region follows a weekly Ukraine attack on Russian oil infrastructure, which Kiev says will burn Moscow’s war effort. Operated by Russian oil giant Surgutneftegas, the facility produces nearly 17.7 million tonnes of metric tons (355,000 barrels per day) of crude oil per year, making it one of Russia’s top three.
Over three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, drones have emerged as an important weapon for both sides. Multiple Russian drones He went to Poland On Wednesday, they fired them down by urging NATO to send fighter jets, highlighting long-standing concerns that the fight could leak across Ukrainian borders.
Explosions and fires have been reported at a provincial refinery, according to Ukrainian general staff. It posted a photo that appears to show flames and smoke clouds against the night sky.
Regional Governor Alexander Drosdenko said three drones were knocked down overnight in the Qingyi region, causing the fall to fire at the facility. He said no one was injured and the flames were put out.
Russian officials did not immediately comment on the outcome of the strike. At least 80 Ukrainian drones were fired down in Russia overnight, occupying Crimea and the adjacent Azov Sea.
Russia remains the second largest oil exporter in the world, but it is a seasonal rise in demand and a sustained strike of Ukrainian drones It has caused a gas shortage in recent weeks.
Gas stations are dry in some parts of the country, with long lines of drivers waiting in place, and authorities relying on rationing or shutting down sales.
In an attempt to alleviate the shortage, Russia suspended gasoline exports, declaring a full ban until September 30th on Wednesday, and a partial ban that affects traders and intermediaries until October 31st.
A fatal incident along the Russian railway
In the Leningrad area, diesel locomotives derailed in the middle of the night, local governor Drozdenko said on Sunday. The region surrounds St. Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city, but is not included.
Drozdenko said the locomotive driver was trapped in his cabin and later died of injuries while being taken to hospital. He added that the official probe will check for signs of sabotage.
Separately, bombs planted along the railway line in the Oryor region of Russia killed three people, according to a report by Governor Andrei Klitschkov. He said the victim had been inspecting the truck and identified him as a member of the Russian National Guard.
According to a post by Klychkov published on Saturday and the end of Sunday, the incident occurred near the town of Maloarkhangelsk, about 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the Ukrainian border. Russian officials did not immediately comment on the cause of it.
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