Ukraine strikes gas facilities deep inside Russia after Moscow attack kills 6
Al Jazeera Staff
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed a strike on gas facilities in Russia's Orenburg region, over 1,500 kilometers from the border, as retaliation for a Russian attack that killed six in Dnipropetrovsk. The attack came hours after a U.S.-mediated three-day ceasefire expired, with Moscow refusing to extend it.
Ukraine has struck gas facilities in the Orenburg region of southwestern Russia, more than 1,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed in a video address Tuesday evening. He said the action was in response to Russian nighttime attacks on Ukraine.
“Ukraine has declared that we will act proportionately in response to Russia,” President Zelenskyy stated.
Orenburg Governor Evgeny Solntsev said nine Ukrainian drones were intercepted over the region. Falling debris damaged a residential building, a nearby school, and a kindergarten but caused no casualties.
Orenburg is home to one of the world's largest gas fields, with industrial infrastructure considered vital to Russia's military and economy.
Ukraine's latest strike came hours after Moscow launched a series of nighttime air attacks on Ukraine, killing six in the Dnipropetrovsk region. This occurred as a three-day ceasefire mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump expired.
The ceasefire coincided with Russia's Victory Day celebrations, marking the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv proposed extending the truce, but Moscow refused.
President Zelenskyy reported that Ukraine was targeted by over 200 drones, damaging energy facilities, apartment buildings, a kindergarten, and a civilian train. Drones were intercepted across six regions.
On the same day, Russia tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads, which President Vladimir Putin described as the world's “most powerful” nuclear missile, with a range exceeding 25,000 kilometers. However, analysts have previously accused Putin of exaggerating Russia's military capabilities.
Peace talks
On Saturday, Putin suggested the war in Ukraine, which began over four years ago, was nearing its end. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed this claim on Tuesday, stating that progress in negotiations with both the U.S. and Ukraine would soon end the conflict but declined to provide specifics.
President Zelenskyy expressed the opposite view, warning that Ukraine is preparing for further attacks. “Russia has no intention of ending this war. And we, unfortunately, are preparing for new attacks,” he said.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Putin's comments were a sign of weakness. “What he says actually shows that he is not in a strong position. So, I think there is an opportunity to end this war,” she stated.
Negotiations to end the conflict have yet to achieve a significant breakthrough and have stalled in recent months. U.S. President Donald Trump, who made ending the costly war a key campaign promise in 2024, told reporters, “The end of the Ukraine war, I really think it's coming very close.”
The Kyiv Independent reported Monday that Washington is attempting to negotiate another temporary ceasefire, including easing sanctions on Russia. Ukrainian officials are reportedly concerned that the proposed deal lacks the security guarantees Kyiv considers necessary to prevent future aggression from Moscow.
