Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Refineries in Bold Move Ahead of Putin's Potential Re-election

Ukraine has recently carried out drone attacks on three oil refineries located deep inside Russia. This escalation comes as Kyiv steps up its cross-border strikes ahead of President Vladimir Putin's expected re-election.

According to a Ukrainian defense source who spoke to CNN on Wednesday, Ukraine is strategically targeting these oil refineries to weaken Russia's economic power. This action is part of a carefully planned strategy to reduce Russia's economic capabilities.

Three Russian oil refineries were targeted in the cities of Ryazan, Kstovo, and Kirishi. These refineries are among the largest in Russia. Additionally, a fourth facility, the Novoshakhtinsky oil refinery in Rostov-on-Don, was also hit according to a representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.

It was the second day in a row that Ukraine launched attacks on Russian energy sites. The targets were all within Russia's territory.

A source explained to CNN that the aim of these attacks was to cut off the enemy's resources. This would help reduce the flow of oil money and fuel that Russia is using for the war.

After a tumultuous day at the Russian side of the Ukrainian border, pro-Ukrainian Russian fighters reported launching attacks across the border and seizing control of Tyotkino village in Russia's Kursk region.

According to the regional governor, the village endured continuous attacks throughout the day on Wednesday.

The border region of Belgorod has taken the brunt of Ukraine's cross-border attacks during the war.

The border region of Belgorod has taken the brunt of Ukraine's cross-border attacks during the war.

Stringer/AFP/Getty Images

The aftermath of the attack extended until Wednesday. The Freedom for Russia Legion, a group of Russian dissidents supporting Ukraine, announced on Telegram that they had destroyed a command center in Tyotkino village in the Kursk region. They also mentioned that their fighters were moving forward.

CNN is unable to confirm the group's statements. Nevertheless, CNN managed to pinpoint the exact location of a building on fire in Tyotkino through video footage shared by the group.

According to the group, a control center no longer exists. They declared their intention to escalate the crisis within the regime's defense industry.

Russia's defense ministry announced on Wednesday that 58 Ukrainian drones were destroyed by their air defenses overnight. Some of these drones even made it as far as the Leningrad region, which is near the border with Finland, backing up Kyiv's assertions.

The regional governor of Ryazan, Pavel Malkov, reported that a fire occurred at the facility but has been put out. He mentioned that two individuals sustained injuries.

A video on social media captured a significant amount of smoke coming from a building in the refinery complex, which is among the largest in Russia.

Andrii Yusov from the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine announced on Wednesday that the Novoshakhtinsky oil refinery in Rostov-on-Don was targeted in an attack. However, Kyiv has not yet confirmed any involvement in the incident.

Yusov explained during a televised interview that the refinery, despite appearing to be an oil plant, is actually a military facility used to support and sustain the occupying forces. As a result of the attack, the company's operations have been temporarily halted. This disruption will cause problems for the enemy and create opportunities and additional time for our defenders.

Russian authorities announced that there were at least 25 drone attacks the day before. Local officials in the Oryol and Nizhny Novgorod regions reported that fuel and energy facilities were hit.

Fortunately, there have been no reported casualties from the attacks that occurred on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

But on Tuesday, there were attacks in the village of Odnorobovka in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, and in the nearby Russian villages of Nekhoteevka and Spodariushino in Belgorod, according to Russian authorities.

Cars drive past a stele displaying the city name in Belgorod, Russia, June 8, 2023.

Cars drive past a stele displaying the city name in Belgorod, Russia, June 8, 2023.

Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

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Pro-Ukrainian Russian forces claim cross-border attacks in Russia

Russia’s Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that 10 civilians were injured on Tuesday, with six of them requiring hospitalization.

In the neighboring Kursk region, Governor Roman Starovoyt stated that the Russian village of Tyotkino has been under fire throughout Wednesday. This came after pro-Ukrainian groups claimed to have control over the village.

A building and a store have been damaged, according to him.

"We will conduct a door-to-door search in the village once it is safe to do so. Rest assured, we will help all owners of damaged property in restoring it," Starovoyt assured.

Kyiv's recent strikes not only aim to target Russia's extensive oil reserves but also to make Russians realize the consequences of the war, especially as their country gears up for a presidential election.

The upcoming vote is expected to secure Putin a fifth term, prolonging his leadership until the 2030s. The voting will span three days starting from Friday, with the president likely to secure another term in a non-free and unfair election where he lacks genuine competitors.

Putin mentioned during a lengthy interview on state television channel Rossiya 1 that Ukrainian attacks on Belgorod and Kursk are occurring due to Kyiv's "failures" on the battlefield. He stated that these attacks are happening amidst Ukraine's lack of success on the front line and their inability to achieve their goals from the previous year. Putin emphasized the importance of focusing on the information aspect of the situation in order to divert attention from their military setbacks.

CNN’s Christian Edwards and Alex Stambaugh contributed reporting

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