MOSCOW — Ukrainian drones struck two Russian oil refineries overnight, setting one ablaze again in southern Russia as Kyiv continued its campaign against Russia's energy infrastructure, while Russian authorities reported casualties and damage from the attacks.
A fire broke out at the Slavyansk-na-Kubani refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region after a drone strike, regional officials said. Authorities reported one person was killed and another injured in the attack. The blaze was later extinguished and nearby roads were reopened, according to local officials.
Russian officials also reported a drone strike in the Yaroslavl region, where temporary travel restrictions were imposed on some routes. Ukrainian authorities said the strikes were aimed at degrading Russia's military logistics and fuel supply by targeting facilities that support the country's war effort.
The attacks came as Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly acknowledged that the country was experiencing what he described as a "certain deficit" of fuel, while pledging to strengthen protection for oil infrastructure, increase fuel production and improve air defenses.
Ukraine has stepped up long-range drone attacks on Russian energy and military-industrial facilities in recent months, arguing the strikes are intended to reduce resources available for Moscow's military campaign. Russia says the attacks target civilian infrastructure and has vowed to reinforce defenses around strategic facilities.
The full extent of the damage to the affected refineries has not been independently verified, and officials have not released a comprehensive assessment of the impact on refining operations. The situation remained developing as of Sunday.
