In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has launched a significant counterattack against Russian energy infrastructure, deploying a reported 158 drones to strike targets near Moscow. This tactical response follows Russian assaults on Ukraine’s energy grid, marking a pivotal moment in the war. The drone strikes have resulted in notable damage to an oil refinery and power plants, signaling Ukraine's resolve to take the fight into Russian territory and raise questions about the security of Russia's own critical infrastructure.
One week after Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the response in kind came from Ukraine as it hit energy facilities near the Russian capital of Moscow with a reported 158 drones.
The attacks caused significant damage to an oil refinery and two power plants near the capital.
The Russian state news agency and local officials have reported that dozens of drones targeted several regions of Russia. Among these, Moscow, Tver, Voronezh, Tula, Kaluga, Bryansk, Belgorod, Lipetsk and Kursk were attacked by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) overnight.
The Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday morning that a total of 158 drones had been shot down in various regions.
This could also be a record for a single night, according to the Ukrainian press.
Most of the drones were reported in the border regions. Video footage of the attack has been posted on the Russian-language social media site Telegram, some of which shows the events up close and personal.
One clip shows an attack on a local oil refinery of Russian gas giant Gazprom, where a fire broke out and damaged one of its buildings. Firefighters were attempting to contain the blaze and no casualties were reported.
The Baza Telegram news channel, which is closely linked to the Russian security services, reported that loud explosions also rocked the area around the Konakovo Power Station in the Tver region, one of the largest power producers in central Russia.
Mikhail Suvalov, the head of the Kashira district, reported that at least three drones targeted the Kashira power plant, also in the Moscow region, but there was no fire or major damage.
In addition, some 34 drones were shot down over the Bryansk region in southwest Russia. More than 10 drones were destroyed over the Voronezh region, but aircraft have also attacked the areas of Lipetsk, Kaluga, Ryazan and Tula, more than 100 kilometers from Moscow.
