Ukraine strikes Russian energy hubs; Zaporizhzhia drone claim dismissed as propaganda
Ukrainian forces have intensified attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, hitting a major refinery and pumping stations, while the UN confirmed a drone strike at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant but reported normal radiation levels.
Ukrainian drones struck multiple energy targets across Russian territory overnight, prompting Kyiv to deny allegations that it attacked the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in occupied southern Ukraine. The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed strikes on the Saratov oil refinery, a fuel depot in the Rostov region, and the Lazarevo pumping station in Kirov, describing the operations as part of a sustained campaign against facilities that fund Moscow’s war effort.
The attack on the Saratov refinery, owned by the state oil enterprise Rosneft, caused a large-scale fire, according to Ukrainian military reports. Local Governor Roman Busargin acknowledged damage to civilian infrastructure but did not provide further details. Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian energy sites in recent months, arguing that the sector directly fuels the invasion that began in February 2022.
In the Rostov region, which borders occupied eastern Ukraine, drone debris ignited a fuel depot in Matveev Kurgan, forcing the evacuation of nearby residents, Governor Yuriy Slyusar reported. Further north, the Lazarevo pumping station in the Kirov region, which transports oil from Siberia to Belarus, was also hit. Governor Alexander Sokolov confirmed the strike but offered no specifics on the extent of the damage.
Tensions escalated over claims regarding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe’s largest. Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev accused Ukraine of a deliberate attack, stating a kamikaze drone exploded in the turbine hall of Power Unit No. 6. However, he noted that main equipment remained undamaged. Kyiv rejected the accusation as propaganda, with the military stating there was no active fighting along that front line section and no weapons were used.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed a drone had hit the plant but stated that radiation levels remained normal. This incident adds to the ongoing dispute between Moscow and Kyiv, with both sides frequently blaming each other for threats to the facility since the full-scale invasion began.
In retaliation, Russian forces launched 299 drones overnight. Ukraine’s air force reported shooting down 212, with 14 reaching their targets. Debris from the intercepted drones caused fires in the city of Dnipro and at an oil refinery in the Rivne region. Oleksandr Koval, head of Rivne’s regional administration, confirmed the fires but reported no injuries.
