Ukraine Strikes Back: SBU Drones Take Aim at Russian Oil Supplies
In a bold and strategic move, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has launched a swarm of drones, covering an impressive 500 kilometers, to strike a vital oil depot in Russia's Pskov region. This attack, according to SBU sources, is a calculated response to Russia's relentless aggression.
The Velikolukskaya oil depot, a key facility storing diesel, gasoline, and other petroleum products, was targeted by the SBU's Alpha Special Operations Center. Located just 50 kilometers from the Belarusian border, this depot is a critical link in the supply chain for gas stations, businesses, and transport companies. The depot's owner, Pskovnefteprodukt LLC, now faces a significant challenge in maintaining operations.
But here's where it gets controversial... This isn't the first time the site has been targeted. In April 2024, drones struck the same facility, indicating a persistent and determined effort by Ukraine to disrupt Russia's fuel supply.
An SBU source commented, "We continue our methodical approach to targeting facilities that support the Russian army's fuel needs. By destroying these oil depots, we directly impact the enemy's ability to sustain combat operations, advance, and transfer reserves."
Local reports paint a dramatic picture, with at least four explosions recorded at the depot, resulting in a massive fire. Nearby enterprises had to evacuate their employees as a safety measure.
Initially, Russian officials acknowledged that Ukrainian drones had struck an oil facility, causing a fire in a storage tank at a refinery far from Moscow. The Russian defense ministry claimed (https://t.me/mod_russia/61294) that their air defenses intercepted and destroyed 113 Ukrainian drones during the night, some of which were targeting energy facilities.
And this is the part most people miss... One of the drone attacks successfully hit an oil refinery in Velikiye Luki, approximately 500 kilometers west of Moscow, igniting a blaze in an oil storage tank. Regional governor Mikhail Vedernikov confirmed this attack.
The strike occurred just hours after Russia and Ukraine concluded two days of US-brokered talks in Geneva, aimed at finding a resolution to the intense fighting that has lasted nearly four years. Both sides described the discussions as "difficult," with no significant progress announced.
Ukraine, facing near-daily Russian missile and drone attacks since the full-scale invasion began, has increasingly resorted to long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries, ports, and energy infrastructure. These targets are seen as crucial to Moscow's war funding efforts.
As the conflict rages on, the question remains: Will these strategic strikes by Ukraine impact the course of the war? Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below. We'd love to hear your perspective on this ongoing battle.
