Ukraine announced it carried out drone attacks on two Russian oil refineries, as the country continues to escalate airstrikes on Russia's energy infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the military struck the Slavyansk and Yaroslavl oil refineries, located roughly 300 kilometers and 700 kilometers from the front lines respectively, using long-range drones overnight.
"We continue operations to weaken Russia's ability to wage this war," Zelenskyy wrote on social media platform X on Sunday, adding that each attack "means fewer resources for the Russian war machine."
Krasnodar region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said on his Telegram channel that a fire broke out at the oil refinery in Slavyansk-na-Kubani and that multiple homes were damaged by debris. He reported one person killed in the drone attack.
Yaroslavl region Governor Mikhail Yevrayev also reported on Telegram that the area was targeted by Ukrainian drones and temporarily closed exits from the city.
In the Belgorod region, another person died in the Shebekinsky district following 64 Ukrainian drone attacks in 24 hours, according to Russia's Tass news agency.
Kursk region Governor Alexander Khinshtein said Russia shot down "a total of 117 drones of various types." "Drones dropped explosive devices onto our territory seven times."
Last week, Ukraine used long-range drones to strike two oil facilities in Kerch, Crimea, and the port of Kavkaz. Both are used to transport fuel to Russian front lines. They also attacked power plants, leading to a suspension of fuel sales in Crimea.
The large-scale drone campaign targeting Russian oil refineries and fuel depots has affected the country's economy, causing fuel shortages.
As the war extends beyond four years, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Moscow is ready to resume negotiations to end the fighting. However, he said such talks would be based on discussions held in Istanbul in 2022, including Russia's demand that Ukraine surrender the Donbas region, among other key points.
Russia's Defense Ministry said Sunday that its forces continue advancing in the ground offensive into Ukraine west of Lyman, according to the RIA Novosti news agency. They reported killing 30 Ukrainian soldiers, destroying four vehicles, five unmanned robotic systems, and nine drone control centers.
