Ukraine Strikes Critical Fuel Pipeline Supplying Russian Forces Near Moscow
Ukrainian forces conducted a significant strike on a critical fuel pipeline supplying Russian troops in the Moscow region. This operation took place late Friday and was confirmed by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, known as HUR.
Details of the Strike
The targeted pipeline, named the Koltsevoy, stretches about 400 kilometers (approximately 250 miles) and delivers gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel from refineries located in Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod, and Moscow. According to HUR, the strike destroyed all three fuel lines within the infrastructure located near the Ramensky district.
- The pipeline had an annual capacity of:
- 3 million tons of jet fuel
- 2.8 million tons of diesel
- 1.6 million tons of gasoline
Kyrylo Budanov, the head of HUR, indicated that the impact of their operations was greater than international sanctions imposed on Russia due to its ongoing warfare.
Increased Tensions in Pokrovsk
Simultaneously, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have neutralized a team of Ukrainian special forces attempting to reinforce positions in the city of Pokrovsk. This city serves as a critical stronghold in the eastern Donetsk region. Video evidence presented by Russia depicted two Ukrainian men purportedly discussing their experiences in the intense battles, although the authenticity of this footage remains unverified.
Contrasting Reports on the Ground Situation
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously claimed that his forces had encircled Ukrainian defenders in Pokrovsk. However, Ukraine’s army chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, disputed this, indicating that while the situation is dire, there is no encirclement taking place.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the presence of some Russian units in Pokrovsk but assured that Ukrainian forces are actively working to remove them. He noted that approximately 170,000 Russian troops are concentrated in Donetsk, aiming to capture the city.
Recent Attacks on Ukrainian Territory
Further escalating the conflict, a Russian Iskander missile strike in the Mykolaiv region resulted in one civilian fatality and 19 injuries, including a 9-year-old girl. Additionally, a missile attack on a gas facility in the Poltava region sparked a fire, as reported by the Ukrainian emergency service.
Russia has engaged in large-scale drone and missile attacks, described by Ukraine as a form of “systematic energy terror,” leading to extensive power outages across the country. In a recent assault, 223 drones targeted Ukraine, with 206 intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses.
Impact on Russian Operations
Russian defense claims indicated the interception of 98 Ukrainian drones, including several aimed at Moscow. In a notable response, local authorities in the Russian city of Zhukovsky, located 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Moscow, reported a large-scale power outage caused by an “automatic equipment shutdown.”
This ongoing conflict continues to evolve, with each side presenting conflicting narratives about the military situation, particularly in strategic locations like Pokrovsk.
