Ukraine has targeted two Russian refineries and over a dozen fuel tankers in a series of attacks that are deepening a nationwide fuel crunch. An overnight assault reached key oil facilities in southern Russia, adding further pressure to a fuel network already strained by repeated Ukrainian strikes.
These drone strikes form part of a campaign designed to choke off supplies and transportation routes in and out of Crimea. Ukrainian unmanned systems have cut overland routes and begun to target Russian shadow tankers.
Further military actions this week saw Ukrainian drone attacks destroy 36 ships in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Kyiv says the strikes are fair retribution for Russia's more than four-year barrages on Ukraine and represent a bid to force Russia to the negotiating table.