Ukraine said on Sunday that its long-range drones struck a major oil pipeline dispatch station and an oil depot deep inside Russian territory, continuing a campaign aimed at targeting energy infrastructure that Kyiv says supports Moscow’s war effort.
The attacks took place in Russia’s Kirov and Rostov regions, hundreds of kilometres from the front lines, highlighting Ukraine’s growing ability to strike strategic targets far beyond the battlefield.
Pipeline Dispatch Station Targeted in Kirov Region
According to the Ukrainian military, drones hit a dispatch station linked to a major oil pipeline in Russia’s Kirov region.
The facility is part of a network that transports crude oil from Siberia to western Russia and neighbouring Belarus. Ukrainian officials described the site as an important component of Russia’s energy infrastructure.
Russian authorities confirmed that a facility in the region had been struck.
Alexander Sokolov, the governor of Kirov region, said the attack caused a fire but reported no casualties. He urged residents to remain calm as emergency services responded to the incident.
Massive Fire Erupts at Rostov Oil Depot
A separate Ukrainian drone strike targeted an oil depot in Russia’s southern Rostov region, near territories occupied by Russian forces in Ukraine.
Authorities declared a state of emergency in the town of Matveyev-Kurgan after the attack triggered a large blaze.
Dina Alborova said the fire spread across more than 3,600 square metres, damaging nearby residential buildings and commercial properties.
Images released by local officials showed thick black smoke rising from the burning facility as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
Russian Drone Strike Destroys Ukrainian Warehouse
While Ukraine carried out attacks inside Russia, it was also dealing with the aftermath of a Russian drone strike in the city of Dnipro.
The attack hit a warehouse operated by Nova Poshta, one of Ukraine’s largest courier and logistics providers.
The company said one of its branches was struck and that the building was completely destroyed by fire. No employees were injured in the incident.
Zelensky Calls for Greater Support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack on the warehouse and renewed calls for stronger international backing.
Sharing images of the destruction on social media, Zelensky said:
“All these attacks must be stopped.”
He added that achieving that goal required continued military assistance for Ukraine and sustained international pressure on Russia.
Energy Infrastructure Increasingly in Crosshairs
Over the past year, Ukraine has significantly expanded its campaign against Russian oil refineries, fuel depots, pipelines and other energy-related facilities.
Kyiv argues that such targets play a critical role in financing and sustaining Russia’s military operations. By striking energy infrastructure, Ukraine aims to reduce fuel supplies, disrupt logistics networks and increase the economic costs of the war for Moscow.
The latest attacks underscore how both sides are increasingly targeting infrastructure far from the front lines, turning energy facilities, warehouses and logistics hubs into key battlegrounds in a conflict that has now entered its fifth year.
