The Ukrainian military and security officials reported that Ukraine targeted a major Russian oil refinery with British missiles, causing multiple explosions at the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Rostov. The General Staff confirmed that the target was hit, with multiple explosions recorded. This event marks the first known use of Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia following permission granted by the UK last year.
The Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery was a significant supplier of oil products to southern Russia and provided diesel and jet fuel to Russian troops engaged in the conflict in Ukraine. In addition to this attack, Ukrainian-made long-range drones also targeted oil product tanks in Russia’s Temryuk port and a gas processing plant in Orenburg, located approximately 1,400km from the Ukrainian border.
Russian officials in Krasnodar reported that two oil product tanks caught fire at the Temryuk port after the drone attack. The escalation of attacks on energy facilities by both Kyiv and Moscow has been observed in recent months, with Kyiv focusing on disrupting Moscow’s oil revenues to weaken its war effort.
In other developments, Russian officials noted progress in peace negotiations with the United States regarding the Ukraine conflict. Despite this progress, concerns were raised about attempts by western European powers to hinder the peace talks. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy engaged in constructive discussions with US officials Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, exploring new ideas to advance towards real peace.
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The ongoing conflict continues to see strategic moves and negotiations as parties strive for a resolution.
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