KYIV — More than 100 Ukrainian drones were aimed at targets in 11 Russian regions, hitting the Ryazan oil refinery and a heating power plant, in one of Ukraine’s largest attacks in an overnight strike Friday.
“This refinery is one of the largest in Russia, it can process 17 million tons of oil a year. At least three tanks are burning there. In addition, a fire broke out and engulfed the workshop where the diesel fuel and aviation kerosene hydrotreating unit is located,” an official with Ukraine’s SBU security service told POLITICO, speaking on condition of being granted anonymity.
The refinery is about 500 kilometers from the border with Ukraine.
In Ryazan, residents posted videos on social media showing more than 50 explosions, including at an oil pumping station and the Ryazan heating power plant, SBU officials added.
“It’s the effect of our ‘drone sanctions’ against enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex and the oil sector in the Russian rear. We will continue to weaken Russian military capabilities,” the official said.
Russia’s defense ministry claimed it intercepted and destroyed 121 drones in 11 regions of Russia. One was shot down over Moscow. Residents and media also reported blasts in the Bryansk region of Russia, where 37 drones were reportedly shot down.
“The Kremniy Plant in Bryansk is suspending operations after a series of hits last night. It is one of the top two producers of microelectronics for missiles and air defense in Russia,” Colonel Andriy Kovaneko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, said in a statement.
He said it was the third attack on a plant that produces electronic warfare systems and microelectronics for Russia’s Iskander ballistic missiles and much more.
There has been an increase in Ukraine’s ability to hit targets inside Russia, and one of the effects appears to be a reduction in the Russian military’s use of artillery on the battlefield.
“For several months now, the norms of artillery ammunition consumption in the Russian army have been reduced by almost half. If earlier this figure reached 40,000 per day, now it is much less,” Ukrainian Army Commander in Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi told Ukrainian television on Sunday.
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