Ukraine launched a deadly attack on one of Russia's largest oil refineries, in a major blow for the Kremlin. The overnight strike on Friday is just the latest in a series of relentless attacks that aim to cripple Russia's oil output.
Energy exports provide the Kremlin with most of its money to finance its brutal and senseless war in Ukraine. By targeting oil depots, Kyiv aims to disrupt the Kremlin's war finances and fuel deliveries to the front. The Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery in Yaroslavl is located more than 435 miles from the Ukrainian border.
As one of the five largest refineries in Russia, it can process about 15 million tonnes of crude oil per year.
Local residents reported hearing at least seven explosions over the city, as the drones closed in on their target. Photos and video images posted to social media show the refinery engulfed by a massive fire, that lit up the night's sky.
Ukraine's General Staff later confirmed that the refinery had been hit and severely damaged.
In a post to their Telegram channel, they said: "Explosions and a powerful fire have been recorded in the area of the target."
They also said drones struck an ammunition depot and a concentration of Russian forces in the Donetsk region.
"The Defence Forces will continue to take measures to undermine the offensive potential of the Russian invaders and force the Russian Federation to stop its armed aggression against Ukraine," they added.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's intelligence agency (HUR) released video images of a drone attack its special forces carried out in Crimea.
The peninsula was illegally seized and annexed by Vladimir Putin in 2014, and is now a major military base for his army.
The Prymary special unit guided a drone into a Russian An-26 military transport aircraft as it was preparing to take off.
They also wiped out two Nebo-M radar stations, as well as a 64Н6Е radar station that navigated S-300 and S-400 air defence systems.
