A wave of Ukrainian drone attacks stopped an oil refinery in Krasnodar, southern Russia, from operating, while Kremlin forces struck a northern suburb of Kharkiv, Ukraine, Bloomberg reported.
Regional Governor Oleh Sinyhopov said that at least 16 people were also injured near the town of Mala Danilivka in the Kharkiv region after a Russian Iskander missile hit a “civilian” target this morning.
Russian bombing
The region is still witnessing regular bombardment by Moscow forces, even with Ukraine’s success in halting the Russian ground advance on the Kharkiv-Kubyansk axis.
Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense said that it shot down a total of 103 Ukrainian drones, tactical ballistic missiles, 12 American missiles and various other projectiles during the past 24 hours.
The local administration said in a statement on its website that 6 drones bombed the Slavyansk facility overnight, without any casualties being reported.
Drones from Ukraine targeted the refinery, according to Bloomberg, citing a person familiar with the operation who was not authorized to speak publicly.
The refinery stopped
RBC reported, citing the head of security at Slavyansk Echo, the refinery operator, that the refinery has suspended its operations to conduct checks, and it is not yet clear when it can resume operation.
The facility, which processes 4 million tons of crude annually, or about 80,000 barrels per day, was a previous target of drone attacks in March and April.
The United States criticized Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries as posing a risk to crude oil prices and urged Kiev to focus on military targets instead.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said last week at a Senate committee hearing: “These attacks could have an indirect impact on the global energy situation… It is better for Ukraine to pursue tactical and operational goals that can directly impact the current battle.”
