Drone Strike Causes Fire At Key Russian Oil Depot Ahead Of Ukrainian Counteroffensive

Ukrainian Drones Attack Russian Oil Depot in Crimea

In a daring move, Ukrainian drones have reportedly attacked and destroyed a Russian oil depot in Crimea. The attack took place on Saturday, with drones targeting a fuel depot in the city of Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea. The strike resulted in a massive fire at the depot, which is located in the port city that harbors the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy.

Preparing for a Summer Counteroffensive

The attack comes as Ukraine prepares to mount a summer counteroffensive against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has now gone on for over a year. Ukrainian military officials did not take credit for the attack, but Ukrainian military spokesman Andriv Yusov said that the blaze was “God’s punishment” for an earlier missile strike in the city of Uman, which killed 23 people, including six children.

Crimea: A Key Staging Area

The Crimean Peninsula was annexed by Russia in 2014 and is critically important to Russia maintaining its control over its occupied territories in Southern and Eastern Ukraine. As such, it has increasingly become the target of Ukrainian attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that reclaiming control of Crimea is essential to preventing future aggression by Russia.

Preparing for a Counteroffensive

The attack could also serve as a precursor to a counteroffensive from Ukraine. The Ukrainian military is cobbling together resources and soldiers to prepare for a counteroffensive to retake lost territory in the southern and eastern parts of the country. Details about the plans are scant because of Ukraine’s policy, but Russian military officials believe it will attack Melitopol, a small city in southern Ukraine that would break the land bridge between forces in the south and east. But attacks aimed at Luhansk and the Donbas are also possible, the Daily Mail reported.

Ready for Battle

Whichever way the attacks will go, Ukraine says it is almost ready. “Preparations are coming to an end,” Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov told reporters Friday. “In addition to being provided a weapon, it must be mastered. Equipment has been promised, prepared and partially delivered. In a global sense, we’re ready.”

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