The governor of Smolensk, Vasily Anokhin, confirmed the incidents on Telegram: "A fire likely resulted from a hostile attack on the fuel and energy facilities in the Smolensk and Yartsevo districts." He urged calm among the populace as authorities assessed the situation.
Ukrainska Pravda, citing the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), attributed the strikes to a targeted operation by Ukraine, aimed at undermining Russian fuel storage capabilities. "On the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, two fuel storage and pumping bases were destroyed in the towns of Yartsevo and Razdorovo in the Smolensk region," a source from the SBU disclosed.
Additional reports from the Kyiv Independent noted that the Voronezh and Lipetsk region also suffered drone-induced fires, indicating a widespread tactical approach to the strikes.
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported the downing of eight Ukrainian drones across the country overnight.
Ukraine targeting Russian energy facilities
The strategic significance of these attacks has been noted since early 2024, with several successful Ukrainian operations targeting Russian oil and gas infrastructure. This includes attacks on facilities in major regions such as Bryansk, Yaroslavl, Kaluga, and beyond, reflecting a deliberate focus on crippling Russia's energy production capabilities.
These operations have led to significant international discourse, with global implications. In late March, the Financial Times reported that the United States had urged Ukraine to cease targeting Russian energy facilities, warning of potential oil price hikes and Kremlin retaliation. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has remained steadfast, justifying the strikes as necessary responses to Russian aggressions against Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
The attacks have forced Russia to implement defensive measures, including a temporary export ban on gasoline and widespread "unplanned repairs" at affected facilities, significantly impacting the nation's fuel production and economic stability.
The Russian Ministry of Energy confirmed a sharp decline in January's fuel exports, with gasoline exports dropping by 37 percent and diesel by 23 percent, largely due to these repair efforts.
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Source: RMF24, PAP