Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Facility Again
Ukraine’s military has successfully targeted an oil refinery in Kstovo, a town around 800 kilometers from the front lines in eastern Ukraine. The attack, which occurred on January 27, 2025, saw four drones hitting a Lukoil depot. The strike caused significant damage, with social media footage showing large flames engulfing the facility. Although debris from the drones fell across the industrial zone, no casualties have been reported.
Drone Attack on Civilian Infrastructure in Smolensk
Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones also hit the Smolensk region in another assault, targeting civilian infrastructure. Vasily Anokhin, the governor of Smolensk, confirmed the strike, though no casualties have been reported at this time. A missile was reportedly shot down as it neared a nuclear facility, though this information remains unverified. Despite the lack of confirmation, the attack highlights the ongoing use of drone warfare in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Belgorod Strikes Kill Mother and Toddler
The violence extended into Russia’s Belgorod region, where a mother and her toddler were killed in a separate strike. Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Belgorod, reported that another child and his father were injured. This incident underscores the ongoing civilian toll in regions close to Ukraine’s border, which have been regularly targeted since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022.
Ukrainian Drone Assault Part of Larger Campaign
This coordinated series of drone attacks represents one of the largest Ukrainian military operations of its kind. The attacks included over 100 drones targeting various Russian facilities, including oil refineries and civilian structures. Russian authorities responded by shooting down many of the incoming drones, which led to disruptions at major airports in St. Petersburg and Kazan. The attack also involved at least 121 drones on January 26, 2025, focusing on critical infrastructure.
Russian Retaliation: Air Alerts and Drone Strikes
As Ukrainian drones flooded Russian airspace, Moscow retaliated with its own airstrikes against Ukraine. The Ukrainian military responded by shooting down 29 Russian drones across nine regions. These exchanges are part of an intensifying phase in the conflict, with both sides aiming to disrupt each other’s infrastructure and morale.
The Ongoing Conflict as the Anniversary Approaches
As the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches, the war continues to cause widespread destruction and displacement. Despite ongoing Russian advances in the eastern regions, Ukrainian forces have maintained control over significant territories in western Russia’s Kursk region. The conflict shows no signs of easing, with both sides bracing for further attacks in the coming months.
Follow us on Socials: