Kyiv has stepped up its assaults on Russia’s oil and gasoline services, arguing the power sector is fuelling Moscow’s invasion.
Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s Saratov refinery (Picture: Volodymyr Zelensky/X)
Ukraine focused power websites in Russia, putting an oil refinery and oil pumping station in a blistering drone assault onslaught. The Saratov refinery in South-west Russia went up in flames as drones struck the ability, which Kyiv claims was supplying Moscow’s conflict effort.
The refinery belongs to Russia’s state power firm, Rosneft. Native Russian Governor, Roman Busargin, mentioned Ukrainian drones had broken civilian infrastructure in Sunday’s assault, however didn’t give particulars. Unbiased Russian information channel Astra reported that an oil refinery was on hearth within the metropolis of Saratov.
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In a single day, our warriors utilized Ukraine’s long-range sanctions towards an oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov – about 700 kilometers from the frontline. An vital end result. Thanks! There have been additionally strikes within the Rostov and Kirov areas, in addition to at a army base on the… pic.twitter.com/OJ8PNoBxCb
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) Might 31, 2026
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on social media on Sunday: “Tonight, our troopers utilized Ukraine’s long-range sanctions towards an oil refinery in Saratov, Russia — roughly 700 kilometers (435 miles) from the entrance line. A major achievement.”
Drone particles additionally set hearth to a gas depot in Russia’s southwestern Rostov area, which borders Russian-occupied jap Ukraine, Governor Yuriy Slyusar posted on Telegram on Sunday. He mentioned residents from close by houses had been evacuated.
Ukraine’s Basic Workers confirmed its forces had been behind the strike on the ability within the city of Matveev Kurgan. Native authorities mentioned a drone strike on the depot brought on a big hearth throughout a large space.
In line with its Basic Workers, Ukraine additionally struck the Lazarevo pumping station in Russia’s Kirov area northeast of Moscow, greater than 745 miles (1,200 kilometres) from Ukrainian-controlled land. The ability helps ship Russian oil from Siberia to Belarus.
Regional Governor Alexander Sokolov mentioned drones hit a facility within the Kirov area, however he did not present any extra element.
Kyiv has stepped up its assaults on Russia’s oil and gasoline services in current months, arguing that the power sector funds and fuels Moscow’s invasion.
Russia, in the meantime, accused Ukraine of hitting the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in a drone strike. Kyiv denied the accusation.
Russian state nuclear power firm Rosatom mentioned on Saturday that the drone exploded after tearing a gap within the wall of a turbine corridor.
Rosatom’s CEO Alexei Likhachev accused Ukraine of a deliberate assault.
He mentioned: “This afternoon, a Ukrainian kamikaze fight drone struck the turbine corridor constructing of Energy Unit No. 6, leading to a detonation.”
Ukraine’s army mentioned it didn’t goal or strike the plant, describing the Russian declare as “one more propaganda ploy”.
A army assertion mentioned Ukraine complies with worldwide humanitarian regulation and is conscious of the implications of any actions focusing on nuclear services.
Russian forces captured the Zaporizhzhia plant within the early weeks of the conflict, and it stays near the entrance strains within the southern Zaporizhzhia area.
The nuclear plant has repeatedly come beneath hearth since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, sparking fears of a nuclear accident.
Moscow and Kyiv have blamed one another for focusing on the plant, the biggest in Europe.
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