KURSK, Russia – A major oil depot in the Kursk region on the border of Ukraine and Russia was destroyed in a drone attack, leading to fresh embarrassment for Vladimir Putin. The attack came a day after Ukrainian forces successfully sank a large landing ship, Caesar Kunikov, in the Black Sea. The depot, located near the village of Polevaya, was engulfed in flames as three gasoline tanks caught fire and one partially collapsed.
The drone attack, confirmed by regional governor Roman Starovoit, is believed to have been carried out by two kamikaze drones. Despite the destruction, there were no reported casualties and all special services are currently working on the site. This is not the first time Ukraine has targeted Russian oil depots, having struck nine since the beginning of the year.
The clear aim of these attacks seems to be to disrupt supplies for the Putin war machine and limit Russian export capacities. The Kursk region oil depot is approximately 63 miles from the nearest Ukrainian territory, further highlighting the audacity of the drone attack.
Prior to the drone attack on the oil depot, Ukraine made headlines by sinking the 369ft warship, Caesar Kunikov, with a suspected crew of 87. The successful attack was carried out by five Magura 5 sea drones, according to the head of Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency Lt-Gen Kyrylo Budanov.
In addition to the destruction of the oil depot and the warship, Captain 1st Rank of the Ukrainian Navy Reserve Andrey Ryzhenko described the sinking of Caesar Kunikov as a “serious loss” with no replacement. The successful attacks by Ukraine have undoubtedly increased tension between the two countries, with the ongoing conflict showing no signs of abating.