Ukraine claims attack on Russian oil depot

KYIV: Ukraine launched an overnight strike deep inside Russia that set fire to an oil depot in the city of Engels that serves an air base for Russian nuclear bomber planes, the Ukrainian military said on Wednesday. The governor of the Russian region said Engels and Saratov, on opposite sides of the Volga river, had been subject to a 'mass drone attack' and there was a fire at an industrial site, which he did not name. He said there was no word of any casualties. The Ukrainian military reported multiple explosions and a big fire at the 'Kristal' oil depot, which it said provided fuel to the 'Engels-2' military airfield.

The strike 'creates serious logistical problems for the strategic aviation of the Russian occupiers and significantly reduces their ability to strike at peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilian objects,' it said in a statement on Telegram. Ukraine deployed 'long-range capabilities' in the attack, presidential adviser Oleksandr Kamyshin posted on X. — Reuters