Janice R. Andrews
Ukraine launched a significant attack on an oil depot in Engels, located in Russia’s Saratov region. The depot, crucial for supporting Russian air force operations, was struck using Ukrainian-made long-range weaponry, according to a statement from Kyiv on Wednesday.
The Ukrainian general staff reported that the attack disrupted logistics for Russian strategic aviation, significantly hindering its ability to launch strikes on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure. “This creates serious logistical challenges for the Russian occupants,” the statement read.
Moscow confirmed the incident, with the Russian Defense Ministry claiming to have intercepted 32 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 11 in the Saratov region. Despite these efforts, fires broke out at an industrial site near the depot, causing extensive damage.
Residents of Engels reported hearing multiple explosions, leading regional governor Roman Busargin to declare a state of emergency. He later confirmed the deaths of two firefighters who were tackling the blaze, which authorities attributed to a Ukrainian drone attack.
Simultaneously, Kyiv reported successfully downing 63 Russian drones overnight. In the southern Kherson region, Russian shelling claimed the lives of two Ukrainian civilians and injured five others, highlighting the ongoing human cost of the conflict.
This strike is part of an escalating series of cross-border attacks as the war nears its fourth year. By targeting a facility deep inside Russian territory, Ukraine has demonstrated its growing ability to disrupt critical infrastructure and logistics.
The continued intensification of attacks on both sides underscores the conflict’s volatility and the urgent need for diplomatic measures to prevent further casualties and destruction.
