Ukraine has publicly claimed responsibility for a second oil depot attack within two days, this time igniting a raging inferno in the town of Klintsy, western Russia.
The incident follows Thursday’s attack on a storage facility in the Leningrad region, marking a significant uptick in Ukrainian strikes against Russian energy infrastructure.
Ukrainian security sources confirmed to AFP that Friday’s attack on Klintsy, roughly 45 miles from the border, was carried out by the country’s Main Intelligence Directorate.
Social media footage captured a towering plume of black smoke engulfing the facility, while Russian officials reported shooting down a Ukrainian drone carrying “munitions” responsible for the fire.
No casualties were reported, but emergency personnel and a specialised fire train responded to contain the blaze and prevent disruptions to local rail traffic.
This latest incident comes on the heels of Ukraine’s rare drone attack near St. Petersburg on Thursday, highlighting an expanding scope of Ukrainian operations beyond eastern border regions.
The attacks, framed by Ukrainian officials as retaliation for Russian strikes on their territory, mark a potential turning point in the nearly two-year war.
Kyiv’s growing confidence in targeting strategic infrastructure deep within Russia raises concerns about a potential escalation and further tensions between the two sides.
As the inferno in Klintsy continues to be battled, the immediate and long-term consequences of this new phase of Ukrainian attacks remain to be seen.
However, one thing is clear: the war’s narrative has shifted, with Ukraine demonstrating a willingness to strike directly at Russia’s heartland resources.
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