▲ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukraine, having secured air defense support from the United States, has continued its precision strikes targeting Russian energy facilities.
According to Reuters, AFP, and other news agencies on July 10 (local time), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video of burning Russian oil facilities on social media shortly after the NATO summit concluded on July 7–8.
The video showed oil storage facilities in Stavropol and Tver, which were hit by Ukrainian drone attacks during the summit, as well as an oil pumping station in the Ufa region of Russia, located 1,500 kilometers away from Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy explained that a reserve fuel storage facility in Russia, approximately 800 kilometers from Ukraine, also became a target.
According to local Russian authorities, the Ilsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar region of southern Russia also caught fire following a Ukrainian drone attack on this day.
Two fuel storage facilities in the Rostov region and the port of Taganrog, which houses oil storage facilities, were also attacked.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its air defense units shot down 376 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Recent concentrated attacks by Ukraine on energy facilities appear to be deepening instability in Russia's energy supply.
It is reported that Russia has acknowledged a fuel shortage and has begun importing gasoline from India and Kazakhstan.
On July 8, Russia also banned the export of diesel fuel.
Russia is the world's second-largest crude oil exporter.
With President Zelenskyy securing a license for Patriot (PAC-3) missiles during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at this NATO summit, Ukraine's offensive is expected to gain further momentum.
Patriot missiles are considered one of the few interceptor missiles capable of shooting down the ballistic missiles Russia uses to attack rear urban centers in Ukraine, such as Kyiv.
However, some observers note that it will take time for Ukraine to begin final production of the Patriot missiles.
This implies that to immediately block Russian attacks targeting rear urban areas, the country must receive finished missile products.
Seemingly aware of these concerns, President Zelenskyy spoke to reporters after his meeting with President Trump on July 8, suggesting that he would be able to secure the latest model of Patriot missiles, according to Reuters.
He stated, "We will receive a Patriot support package from the U.S. within a few days," adding that "there were also separate agreements."
(Photo: Getty Images)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.