Watch: Ukrainian drone sets fire to Russian oil refinery

In recent months, Ukraine has strategically targeted Russia's energy infrastructure. Photo: TELEGRAM/@GUBERNATOR_46/AFP

Ukraine did not do this. However, the Kiev Post officially claimed responsibility for the strike, but the Kiev Post reported that it was “a successful special operation by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (GUR),” citing intelligence sources.

In recent months Ukraine has repeatedly used drone attacks to attack Vladimir Putin's energy infrastructure, most recently targeting two oil refineries in the Krasnodar region last week.

Over the past month, five Russian oil depots have been attacked, including one. more than 700 miles from Ukraine's northern border in St. Petersburg.

By striking abroad, Ukraine hopes to divert Russian resources from the front line. Photo: TELEGRAM/@GUBERNATOR_46/AFP

Commenting on the strike at an oil depot in the Bryansk border region last month, a source told RBC-Ukraine: “When we are talking about an oil depot that supplies fuel and lubricants… this complicates logistics for the occupiers. This disrupts supply schedules and security schedules.

“Accordingly, this provides additional opportunities, free time and increases maneuver space for our defenders.”

In addition to threatening Russia's energy security, these strikes create a «significant diversion of resources» from Russia, as air defense systems must either be produced or removed from the front line to protect facilities, reports the independent Russian media site Meduza.

Thursday's attack on the oil depot came a day after the Ukrainian military said it used high-tech naval drones to sink a Russian warship in the Black Sea, in what would be a significant success for Ukraine within a few days. days until the second anniversary. full-scale Russian invasion on February 24.