Missiles, drones, and cross-border artillery took centre stage during the 62nd week of Russia’s war in Ukraine, as the 63rd began with a rather controversial allegation from Moscow – that Ukraine had made an attempt on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s life earlier in the week.
Ukraine may have targeted Russian fuel depots in a possible move that will spur its counteroffensive attacks. Russia, on the other hand has sharply intensified strikes against Ukrainian civilians, claiming dozens of lives.
Ukraine was likely responsible for explosions in Kozacha Bay, near Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula, where the Russian Black Sea Fleet has a base, on April 29.
Footages obtained by Africa Today News, New York on Friday showed a very huge black mushroom cloud rising from a fuel tank park. Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov said 10 tanks containing 40,000 tonnes of refined oil products had been destroyed.
Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russia-installed governor of occupied Crimea, confirmed that a Ukrainian drone had struck an oil tank, sparking a fire more than 1,000 square metres (10,764 square feet) in size.
Read Also: Ukraine Attempted To Kill Putin With Drones, Russia Alleges
A Russian military blogger said two drones had destroyed four fuel tanks. Another Russian blogger said 10 Mugin-5 UAVs had been launched against the fuel tanks from Shkilnyy airfield in Odesa, and some were shot down.
Russia also blamed Ukraine for a fire at the Ilsky oil refinery near the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk on May 4. Ukraine did not claim responsibility for the strike.
Both fuel facilities were struck within a day of Russian air attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
A day before the Kozacha Bay attack, missiles fired from Russian territory landed in Uman, in central Ukraine, killing 20 civilians, including five children.
Russia acknowledged the attack, saying it had targeted a training ground for reservists.
Whereas the Russian defence ministry claimed it had struck all targets, Ukraine said it had shot down 21 of 23 missiles.
Overnight before the Ilsky fire, Ukraine said Russia had launched dozens of UAV attacks on Ukrainian soil for a second day.
‘The invaders launched up to 24 Shahed-136/131 attack drones … The Air Force of Ukraine, in co-operation with other air defence units, shot down 18 attack drones,’ the air force said on Telegram.
Ukraine has long sought to punish Russia for its attacks on non-combatants, and to counter its ability to reach deep inside Ukrainian territory where no battles are taking place.