Ukraine announced that it successfully targeted a major oil terminal in Crimea during an overnight drone and missile operation. The attack took place in Feodosia, located on the southern coast of the Crimean peninsula, and is seen as a critical Russian military supply hub. This facility is also the largest petroleum transshipment center in the region.
“The enemy’s offshore oil terminal in temporarily occupied Feodosia, Crimea, was successfully struck at night,” the Ukrainian military reported on Monday. They emphasized that this strike is part of their ongoing efforts to weaken the military and economic capabilities of Russia.
Russian authorities in Crimea confirmed a fire at the oil facility in the Black Sea port town, which has a population of around 70,000 people. They reported no casualties.
According to the Russian defense ministry, twelve out of twenty-one Ukrainian attack drones targeting Russian sites were intercepted over the peninsula during the night. RT News reported that the oil hub was ablaze, indicating that such strikes on critical energy infrastructure have been difficult for Russia to defend against. Despite this, the situation on the front lines in Eastern Ukraine remains unchanged, with Ukrainian forces facing consistent setbacks.
Ukrainian media shared videos from the attack site, showing “at least three tanks on fire.” A subsequent video posted on a Telegram channel displayed plumes of smoke rising over Feodosia.
In a recent interview with Newsweek, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued a warning to the West, cautioning that any plans to allow Ukraine long-range strikes on Russian territory could have serious consequences. “They are discussing authorizing the Armed Forces of Ukraine to use Western long-range missiles for strikes deep into Russia. ‘Playing with fire’ in this way may lead to dangerous outcomes,” he stated.
Lavrov reiterated that President Vladimir Putin would respond appropriately based on perceived threats from the West. He urged listeners to draw their own conclusions from this stance.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently advocated for this long-range capability as part of his ‘victory plan’ in Washington. However, it has become apparent to the U.S. administration that Ukraine is unlikely to reclaim Eastern Ukraine. Reports indicate that Zelensky faced a cooler reception on Capitol Hill during this visit compared to previous ones. Nevertheless, President Biden continues to support Ukraine with substantial funding, and Vice President Kamala Harris has pledged to do the same if re-elected.
You Might Be Interested In