Ukraine Intensifies Long-Range Drone War, Striking Russian Oil Deep Behind Front Lines

Ukraine Intensifies Long-Range Drone War, Striking Russian Oil Deep Behind Front Lines Ukraine is systematically targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure with long-range drones, striking refineries, depots, and a tanker hundreds of kilometers from the battlefield in a campaign to cripple the fuel supply for Moscow’s military and slash its oil export revenue. In a significant escalation, Ukrainian forces confirmed a strike on the Slavyansk Eco oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region, a facility Kyiv says supplies fuel for Russian military operations [59115]. While Russian officials claimed the fire was caused by intercepted drone debris, the attack is part of a clear pattern of deep strikes [59115]. Satellite imagery confirms the destruction of a major fuel reservoir at a Rosneft-operated oil depot in Penza, approximately 500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, following a drone attack in late January [59114]. The depot was a key logistics hub storing fuel for military use [59114]. In a first, Ukraine extended its reach to the Mediterranean Sea, damaging the Russian oil tanker SIG in a long-range drone strike [30364]. The vessel, which was transporting fuel for the Russian military, was left immobilized [30364]. A Ukrainian security official stated the goal was to disrupt Russian logistics and oil revenue [30364]. Further attacks have hit an oil depot north of Moscow and a refinery and terminal in Krasnodar, demonstrating Ukraine's growing ability to strike strategic targets deep inside Russia [38601]. Another drone strike ignited a Russian oil depot on Saturday, as part of what Kyiv describes as an ongoing campaign against Russia's energy infrastructure [46640]. A major fire also broke out at the strategic Temryuk seaport in Krasnodar after a drone strike on oil storage tanks [34619]. The port is a crucial hub for supplies, including military supplies, heading to Crimea [34619]. Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the strikes, arguing they aim to drive up global insurance costs for Russian oil shipments to hinder deliveries to world markets [30364]. The attacks highlight the expanding economic dimension of the war, with Ukraine increasingly targeting the energy assets that fund Russia’s invasion [30364]. Ukraine Strikes Key Russian Oil Refinery, Moscow Blames "Debris" Ukrainian Drones Hit Russian Fuel Hub 500km From Front Lines Ukraine Hits Russian Tanker in Mediterranean with First Long-Range Drone Strike Ukrainian Drones Hit Russian Oil Deep Inside Russia Ukraine Drone Attack Ignites Russian Oil Depot Drone Attack Sets Key Russian Oil Port Ablaze