Ukraine’s military intelligence representative, Andriy Yusov, has declared that an “incident” erupted at the Kuibyshev oil refinery located in Russia’s Samara Oblast on the night of March 23.
Authorities in Russia have attributed a blaze at the refinery to a drone strike, although no injuries were reported ensuing the event.
Ukrainian military has recently engaged in a series of drone operations targeted at crippling Russia’s petroleum infrastructure. These attacks have reached various Russian oil refineries, extending deep into its heartland.
Yusov refrained from issuing statements regarding Ukraine’s involvement in the most recent incident at the refinery.
On national television, the spokesperson of Ukraine’s HUR addressed the Kuibyshev refinery fire, identifying the location as militarily significant.
The Kuibyshev facility was previously targeted by Ukrainian drones on March 16, along with the Syzran refinery in the same region. Post-attack, only the Syzran location was reported by Russian officials to have caught fire.
Rosneft, Russia’s prime oil corporation, is the proprietor of both the Kuibyshev and Syzran refineries.
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Olha Stefanishyna, remarked on March 22 that Russia’s oil refiners represent “totally legitimate targets” for Ukraine’s armed forces. This pronouncement echoed subsequent to speculations that the U.S. had requested Ukraine halt its attacks on Russian oil resources.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser from the President’s Office, refuted these rumors, indicating that no such appeals had been received from Washington.
Damage assessments by Torbjorn Tornqvist, head of the Gunvor Group, a global energy trading institution, reported by Bloomberg on March 18, suggest Ukraine’s drone activities may have disrupted approximately 600,000 barrels of Russia’s daily oil-refining capability.
FAQ Section
- What happened at the Kuibyshev oil refinery?
- There was an “incident” reported at the Kuibyshev oil refinery in Russia, which local Russian officials have claimed was caused by a drone attack. The exact details of the incident are not specified.
- Were there any casualties from the incident?
- No casualties were reported following the incident at the Kuibyshev oil refinery.
- Did Ukraine claim responsibility for the attack?
- Ukraine’s military intelligence spokesperson, Andriy Yusov, did not comment on Ukraine’s involvement in the incident.
- Has Ukraine attacked Russian oil refineries before?
- Yes, Ukraine has conducted drone strikes on Russian oil refineries in previous weeks, according to the intelligence reports.
- Did the U.S. ask Ukraine to stop attacking the Russian oil industry?
- There were reports that the U.S. had made such a request, but Ukraine’s President’s Office adviser Mykhailo Podolyak denied that Kyiv received any such calls from Washington.
Conclusion
The situation at the Kuibyshev oil refinery highlights ongoing tensions and strategic maneuvers in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. While no casualties were reported, the incident reflects the broader implications of Ukraine’s efforts to disrupt Russian oil infrastructure. As the situation develops, both parties continue to navigate the complexities of warfare, where industry and economic targets become focal points of attack.
Note: The information presented here has been sourced and restructured from a variety of online news outlets and platforms. The original information from Kyiv Independent is acknowledged for reference. TheUBJ does not claim creation or ownership of the original content.