Ukraine launched lethal drone attacks across Russia, targeting fuel and chemical supplies across the country in a hammerblow to Vladimir Putin. Kyiv’s forces have used their fleet of UAVS to devastating effect to strike targets deep inside Russia, in a bid to disrupt Putin’s war machine.
Overnight on Wednesday, swarms of Ukrainian drones headed towards Russia’s Black Sea region, where they inflicted heavy damage. UAVs zeroed in on the southern city of Sochi, a popular holiday destination for Russians in both the summer and winter. Video images shot by residents capture the roar of engines, aerial explosions, and fires lighting up the night sky. Witnesses described seeing multiple fixed-wing drones over Sochi, as Russian air defence systems — including S-300 and S-400 missile batteries — attempted intercepts directly above residential neighbourhoods.
An oil depot was hit in the Adler district, causing a massive fire to break out and engulf the terminal.
Another drone caused civilian casualties after exploding on a street in Krasnodar, according to the emergency services. One woman was killed and another was critically injured after debris from the drone fell on a garage cooperative, starting a fire.
Regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev later confirmed the total number of injured had risen to 11, with four people hospitalised. Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed to have shot down seven drones over Krasnodar Krai, as well as intercepting a further 32 over the Black and Azov Seas.
Another UAV crashed in the settlement of Sirius, just two kilometres from the music school, where Vladimir Putin met with students and teachers in May.
It was reported the Russian President rang Donald Trump from the school later that day to discuss the war in Ukraine.
A few days earlier, four drones hit the Shchekinoazot chemical plant in the Tula region, causing a fire in one of the rectification columns and damage to critical infrastructure.
The plant is a major producer of ammonia, methanol and urea — substances with both civilian and military uses.
“All of these substances form the basis for explosives, solid rocket fuel, and synthetic materials used by the Russian military-industrial complex,” said Andrey Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation.
