Ukraine has claimed responsibility for strikes on two oil refineries deep inside Russia, in a humiliating blow to Vladimir Putin's war machine. President Volodymyr Zelensky posted footage on Thursday (August 6) showing thick black smoke billowing from the facilities.
In a social media post, Zelensky said the Bashneft-Novoil refinery in the Russian republic of Bashkortostan, about 807 miles from the frontline, and the Slavneft-YANOS refinery in the Yaroslavl region, roughly 434 miles from the border, were hit. The claims and video have not been independently verified.
Campaign to Undermine Moscow
Kyiv has been conducting a months-long campaign to weaken Russia's wartime economy and embarrass the Kremlin. Repeated strikes have caused fuel shortages and unsettled Russians, while boosting morale among Ukrainians, who face regular Russian barrages that Kyiv's weakened air defences struggle to counter.
Zelensky also reported that Ukrainian forces struck two Russian military patrol boats in the Black Sea, part of Moscow's so-called shadow fleet used to evade Western sanctions on oil exports. He did not provide details on the vessels or the extent of the damage.
Russian Response and Civilian Toll
Russia's Defence Ministry said its air defences shot down 605 Ukrainian drones overnight over several regions, including illegally annexed Crimea and the Black and Azov Seas. Meanwhile, Russian drone and glide bomb attacks across Ukraine killed at least three civilians and wounded 22 others, according to authorities.
Ukraine's allies are scrambling to provide more air defences. Russian forces have recently intensified ballistic missile attacks, and Ukrainian officials say only the US-made Patriot system can intercept them. However, the Iran war has depleted Patriot interceptor stocks, leaving Ukraine exposed. Zelensky has discussed urgently procuring interceptors with NATO chief Mark Rutte and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
