Ukraine’s Drone Attack Targets Fuel and Energy Facilities in Russia

Attack Sparks Fire in Astrakhan Region, Forces Suspension of Flights at Several Airports

ASTRAKHAN: Ukraine’s overnight drone attack targeted fuel and energy facilities in Russia, sparking a fire in the Astrakhan region and forcing the suspension of flights at several airports, Russian officials and media said on Monday.

“Ukrainian armed forces attempted a drone attack on objects located in the region, including fuel and energy facilities,” Igor Babushkin, governor of the Astrakhan region in southern Russia, said on the Telegram messaging app.

“Falling drone sparked a fire. There were no casualties.”

Babushkin did not say what was on fire. Baza, a Russian news Telegram channel that is close to Russia’s security services, said that Ukraine attacked a gas processing plant near Astrakhan.

Air Travel Disrupted

Russia’s aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia said that it was suspending flights from the airports of Astrakhan as well as from four others, in Kazan, Nizhnekamsk, Saratov and Ulyanovsk to ensure air safety.

Earlier, Rosaviatsia temporarily suspended flights from the Volgograd airport in southern Russia, but flights there have since been restored, it said on Telegram.

Reports of Coordinated Attack

There were no official reports on any attack on Volgograd, but Baza, and other Russian news Telegram channels reported a large coordinated drone attack that reportedly targeted an oil refinery.

Reuters could not independently verify the Baza reports. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Background

Kyiv has said previously that its attacks inside Russia are aimed at destroying energy, transport and military infrastructure that are key to Moscow’s war efforts.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has said they are also a response to Russia’s continued bombing of Ukraine since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion in Feb 2022.

Conclusion

The latest attack highlights the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides engaging in attacks on each other’s territory. The suspension of flights at several airports in Russia is a significant disruption to air travel, and the reports of a coordinated attack on an oil refinery raise concerns about the potential impact on energy supplies.

FAQs

Q: What was the target of the drone attack?
A: The target was fuel and energy facilities in the Astrakhan region of Russia.

Q: Were there any casualties?
A: No, there were no casualties reported.

Q: What was the response of Russian authorities?
A: Russian authorities suspended flights at several airports in the region to ensure air safety.

Q: Has Ukraine commented on the attack?
A: There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.