Kursk, Russia – A major oil depot in the Kursk region on Russia’s border with Ukraine was destroyed in a Ukrainian kamikaze drone attack, further escalating tensions between the two countries. The attack came just a day after Ukrainian forces sank a large Russian landing ship in the Black Sea. The oil depot near the village of Polevaya in the Kursk region was engulfed in flames, with three gasoline tanks catching fire, and one partially collapsing.
The attack was confirmed by Roman Starovoit, the regional governor known for his loyalty to Russian President Vladimir Putin. It is believed that two kamikaze drones were used in the attack, marking the ninth strike on Russian oil depots by Ukraine since the beginning of the year. The distance of the oil depot from the nearest Ukrainian territory, approximately 63 miles, raises questions about the range and capabilities of the drones used in the attack.
This latest strike appears to be part of Ukraine’s efforts to disrupt supplies for the Russian military and limit Russian export capacities. The destruction of the oil depot is seen as not only a blow to Putin’s war efforts but also a strategic move to weaken Russian capabilities on the international stage.
The previous day’s sinking of the Russian warship Caesar Kunikov by Ukrainian forces also demonstrated Ukraine’s resolve to counter Russian aggression in the region. The attack on the 369-foot vessel, reportedly carried out by five sea drones, was a significant blow to Russia’s military assets, according to Lt-Gen Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency.
The loss of the warship was described as a serious blow by Captain 1st Rank of the Ukrainian Navy Reserve Andrey Ryzhenko, who emphasized the strategic importance of the vessel’s cargo transport between Novorossiysk and Sevastopol. The coordinated attacks on the oil depot and the warship reflect Ukraine’s determination to disrupt Russian military activities and assert its own strategic position in the region.
The ongoing confrontations between Ukraine and Russia underscore the deep-seated enmity and geopolitical tensions between the two countries, raising concerns about the potential for further escalations and the broader implications for regional stability.