Ukrainian forces conducted a significant strike on a fuel pipeline supplying the Russian military near Moscow. The operation took place late on Friday, as reported by Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR). This attack is viewed as a major blow to Russia’s military logistics.
Details of the Strike on the Fuel Pipeline
The targeted Koltsevoy pipeline spans 250 miles and provides various fuels, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, from refineries in Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod, and Moscow. HUR confirmed that all three fuel lines were destroyed in the operation. This pipeline has an impressive capacity, transporting:
- 3 million tons of jet fuel annually
- 2.8 million tons of diesel annually
- 1.6 million tons of gasoline annually
Kyrylo Budanov, head of HUR, stated that the strikes have proven more impactful than international sanctions against Russia. These sanctions were imposed following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Conflict Escalates in Pokrovsk
Amid these developments, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that its forces defeated a team of Ukrainian special forces in Pokrovsk. Videos were released showing two captured men claimed to be Ukrainian soldiers. The authenticity of these videos remains unverified, and Kyiv has yet to respond to these claims.
Russia and Ukraine continue to provide conflicting narratives regarding the situation in Pokrovsk. President Vladimir Putin asserts that his troops have encircled the city, while Ukrainian army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi maintains that there is no blockade, stating that operations to push back Russian forces are ongoing.
Current Military Situation in Donetsk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged Russian infiltration in Pokrovsk but assured that Ukrainian forces are working to eliminate these units. He noted that Russia has mobilized approximately 170,000 troops in Donetsk for a concerted offensive.
Recent Russian Strikes on Ukraine
In a separate event, a civilian was killed and 19 others wounded, including a child, due to a Russian missile strike in the Mykolaiv region. Additionally, another strike at a gas plant in the Poltava region caused a fire.
These attacks are part of a broader Russian strategy involving drone and missile strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Reports indicate that over the past week, Russia launched 223 drones, with Ukrainian forces intercepting 206.
Additional Developments
Russian strikes have also targeted agricultural sites in Chernihiv, injuring a local woman. Furthermore, reports emerged of a substantial power outage affecting a Russian city, with local authorities attributing the blackout to an “automatic equipment shutdown.”
The conflict’s dynamics remain tense, with both sides preparing for continued military engagements as the situation evolves.
