With the war in Ukraine showing no signs of de-escalation, both sides have increasingly turned to long-range strikes aimed at critical infrastructure.
Ukraine’s latest drone attacks deep inside Russian territory are part of a broader strategy to weaken the Kremlin’s ability to sustain its military operations.
Ukraine escalated its campaign to disrupt Russian military logistics with a series of overnight drone attacks on key infrastructure.
Explosions and fires were reported in multiple regions, as power outages and airport closures added to the chaos.
According to reports from Wirtualna Polska, Ukrainian drones targeted strategic locations in the Astrakhan and Volgograd regions.
Igor Babushkin, governor of Astrakhan, stated that drones attempted to strike fuel and energy facilities in his jurisdiction.
"A fire broke out after one of the drones crashed, but there were no injuries," he confirmed on Telegram.
Although Babushkin withheld details about the damaged site, the Telegram channel Baza, linked to Russian intelligence services, reported an attack on a gas processing plant near Astrakhan.
Airports Suspended Amid Explosions
In response to the attacks, Russia's civil aviation regulator, Rosaviatsiya, grounded flights at several airports, including those in Astrakhan, Volgograd, Kazan, and Grozny.
In Volgograd, explosions at a refinery caused power outages across the city.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, highlighted the strategic importance of these strikes.
"It is crucial that the Volgograd Refinery stops producing gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel that supplies the Russian army," he explained.
Russia Claims Drone Interceptions
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 70 Ukrainian drones during the night.
Of these, 25 were downed in Volgograd, 27 in Rostov, and 7 in Astrakhan. Despite these claims, reports suggest the strikes inflicted significant damage on critical infrastructure.
The Volgograd Refinery, which processes around 14 million tons of crude oil annually, is one of Russia's largest.
Its role in supporting both military and civilian operations makes it a prime target for Ukraine’s efforts to disrupt Russian logistics.
