Ukraine strikes Russian ships near Crimea, escalating attacks on fuel supplies

Ukraine strikes Russian oil tankers and refineries in escalating campaign

Ukraine has carried out a series of drone attacks on Russian oil tankers and refining facilities, including setting two vessels ablaze in the Sea of Azov, in what officials describe as an intensifying campaign against Russia's energy infrastructure. The strikes have disrupted fuel supplies in Russiached, according to reports carried by Al Jazeera and BBC — World.

Reports indicate that Ukrainian drones hit two oil tankers in the Sea of Azov and several oil facilities across Russia, including a refinery in Omsk, Siberia, Russia's largest, located approximately 2,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the strikes as part of Kyiv's "long-range sanctions" campaign, in response to Russian attacks and Moscow's refusal to end the war. "We have long proposed that Russia end this war, and every day of delay should bring the feeling of war to where it all began — in Russia," Zelenskyy said.

According to Al Jazeera, Ukrainian forces have struck 19 Russian tankers and other oil infrastructure between July 6 and 8, including an oil-pumping station in the Stavropol region and a fuel storage facility about 2,500 km from the Ukrainian border. BBC — World reports that the attacks have extended to Russian oil refineries, including the Omsk refinery in Siberia, Russia's largest, which was hit for the first time.

Russian officials have reported significant fuel shortages, with more than 90 percent of Russian regions introducing some form of rationing or reporting shortages of petrol and diesel, as cited in Al Jazeera's coverage. In response, Moscow has banned exports of diesel, a move reported across both Al Jazeera and BBC — World.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has described the strikes as part of Kyiv's campaign of "long-range sanctions" in response to Russian attacks and Moscow's refusal to end the war. "We have long proposed that Russia end this war, and every day of delay should bring the feeling of war to where it all began – to Russia," Zelensky said, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

The strikes have targeted facilities deep inside Russian territorycars, including the Omsk refinery in Siberia, Russia's largest, located 2,500 km from the Ukrainian border, according to reports carried by Al Jazeera. Ukraine's Air Force said Russia lost 42.7 percent of its refining capacity over the past year and suffered $13.5 billion in damage, as reported.Al Jazeera also cited the Air Force in its coverage.

Russian fuel shortages

The attacks have triggered fuel shortages across Russia. More than 90 percent of Russian regions have introduced some form of rationing or reported shortages in petrol and diesel, according to official statements and local media reports cited by Al Jazeera.

In response, Moscow has banned exports of diesel, a move noted by both Al Jazeera and BBC — World.

Ukraine's Air Force said Russia lost 42.7 percent of its refining capacity over the past year, with an estimated $13.5 billion in damage to oil infrastructure, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Key strikes include the Omsk refinery in Siberia, Russia's largest, located roughly 2,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, which was hit for the first time, according to reports carried by Al Jazeera.

Key Claims

• Ukraine launched drone strikes on two oil tankers in the Sea of Azov and hit several other oil facilities across Russia, as reported by Al Jazeera and BBC — World.
• Fuel shortages have been reported in more than 90 percent of Russian regions, with rationing in some areas, according to Al Jazeera.
• Russia has banned exports of petrol and diesel in response to the supply disruptions, according to Al Jazeera and BBC — World.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the strikes as part of Kyiv's campaign of "long-range sanctions" in response to Russian attacks. He said: "We have long proposed that Russia end this war, and every day of delay should bring the feeling of war to where it all began — to Russia." This was reported by Al Jazeera and BBC — World.
• A Ukrainian Navy spokesman said Russia had rerouted fuel supplies to Crimea by sea after overland routes were disrupted, as reported by Al Jazeera.
• Ukraine's Air Force said Russia lost 42.7 percent of its refining capacity over the past year, with damage estimated at $13.5 billion, as reported by Al Jazeera.
• Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces commander, known as Brovdi, said his forces struck 19 targets, including two tankers, in a single night, according to BBC — World.
• The Kremlin said Ukrainian strikes would not force concessions and warned that further escalation could prolong the conflict, as reported by BBC — World.