Casualties from Russian Strikes in Ukraine
Russian drone and missile attacks across Ukraine have resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals and caused injuries to at least 76 others within the past 24 hours, according to official reports.
Fatalities were reported in five different regions, as Moscow continues its pattern of frequent aerial assaults targeting Ukrainian cities.
Zelensky Reports Damage to Russian Oil Infrastructure
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that an oil terminal located in northwest Russia suffered significant damage. Additionally, two Russian oil tankers were reportedly struck near the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.
While specific details regarding the extent of damage to the vessels remain undisclosed, Zelensky identified the tankers as part of Russia's "shadow fleet," which is used to circumvent Western sanctions.
Military Engagements and Interceptions
Ukraine's military stated that Russia launched a ballistic missile and nearly 270 drones during these attacks, though the majority were intercepted by Ukrainian defenses.
In the Kherson region, three fatalities occurred in separate incidents, as reported by the regional governor. Two deaths were confirmed in each of the Odesa, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions, and one fatality was reported in the Sumy region.
Russian Claims of Ukrainian Drone Attacks
Concurrently, Russian authorities claimed that Ukraine had launched at least 334 drones targeting the northwestern Leningrad region, which has experienced heavy drone activity.
Export terminals in Leningrad and other regions have been targeted by Ukraine in recent weeks, resulting in a series of successful strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. Kyiv asserts that these operations have disrupted billions of dollars worth of Russian exports.
Details on Damage to Leningrad Region and Novorossiysk Port
On Sunday, President Zelensky stated that the infrastructure of the Primorsk terminal in the Leningrad region, near Finland, sustained significant damage, along with three ships stationed there.
He also reported that two tankers were struck by Ukrainian drones at the entrance to the port of Novorossiysk.
"These tankers were actively used for transporting oil. Now they will not be,"
Zelensky wrote on Telegram, accompanying his statement with black-and-white video footage that appeared to show a naval drone approaching one of the tankers.
Russian Response and Kremlin Concerns
Russian authorities have generally downplayed the impact of these attacks. However, the Kremlin has expressed clear concern regarding the extensive reach of Ukrainian drones into Russian territory.
On Wednesday, the Kremlin announced a reduction in the scale of its annual military parade commemorating Victory Day—the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War Two on 9 May—citing what it described as a "terrorist threat" from Ukraine.
