A Ukrainian drone assault on Russia’s Samara region overnight has left one person dead and three others injured, including a child, according to regional governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev.
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‎In a post on Telegram on Sunday, Fedorishchev said the attack damaged residential buildings and an industrial facility but did not identify the site involved.
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‎However, independent Russian media outlet Astra, citing videos and photographs circulating online, reported that the targeted facility was the Syzran oil refinery. Footage shared on social media showed multiple fires burning at the refinery following the strike.
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‎Russia’s Defence Ministry said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 349 Ukrainian drones overnight, describing one of the largest waves of attacks recorded in recent days.
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‎The Syzran refinery has been targeted on several occasions during the conflict. After a similar drone strike in late May, the refinery, which processes about 8.5 million tonnes of crude oil annually, temporarily suspended operations.
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‎Owned by state-run energy company Rosneft, the refinery supplies key petroleum products, including petrol, diesel and kerosene.
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‎Repeated Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s refining infrastructure have reportedly contributed to fuel shortages across parts of the country, forcing some filling stations to ration supplies while motorists contend with long queues.
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‎Ukraine has intensified strikes on Russian energy facilities in a bid to increase pressure on President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war, now in its fifth year.
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‎Russia, however, maintains that any future peace settlement must involve Ukraine ceding territory, including regions that Russian forces have yet to fully occupy.
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‎Source: dpa/NAN.