On July 28, 2024, Ukrainian forces executed a strategic drone strike on the ‘Poleva’ (also referred to as ‘Polovaya’) oil refinery in Russia’s Kursk region, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The operation, confirmed by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in coordination with other components of the Ukrainian defense forces.The targeted facility, consisting of 11 storage tanks with a total capacity of 7,000 cubic meters, is reportedly used to supply fuel for the Russian military. The attack resulted in powerful explosions and fires, with Russian officials confirming that three fuel tanks caught fire. Kursk Region Governor Alexei Smirnov reported that while the fires were eventually extinguished, the incident caused substantial damage to the depot.While no casualties were reported at the oil depot itself, the attack had some civilian impact. A woman was injured when a drone reportedly fell on a residential building in the nearby town of Sudja, and she was subsequently hospitalized. Additionally, a fire broke out in a house in the settlement of Medvenka, though it was quickly extinguished without casualties.Russian air defense systems claimed to have intercepted and destroyed several Ukrainian drones in various regions, including Kursk, Belgorod, and Nizhny Novgorod. The Russian Defense Ministry reported destroying two unmanned aerial vehicles over the Kursk region and five over the Belgorod region.This attack is part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to undermine Russia’s military and economic potential by targeting strategic infrastructure. The Ukrainian military stated that the goal was to force Russia to stop its armed aggression against Ukraine. This incident follows a pattern of increased drone attacks on Russian territory, with both sides reporting intensified military activities in recent days.
Key points
- Ukrainian forces conducted a drone strike on the ‘Poleva’ oil refinery in Russia’s Kursk region on July 28, 2024.
- The attack damaged 11 storage tanks with a total capacity of 7,000 cubic meters, used to supply the Russian military.
- One civilian was injured in a related incident, and Russian air defenses claim to have intercepted several Ukrainian drones.
- This attack is part of Ukraine’s strategy to undermine Russia’s military capabilities by targeting strategic infrastructure.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported number of drones intercepted by Russian air defenses, with some sources citing different figures for various regions.
