**A Ukrainian drone attack reportedly set ablaze an oil depot in Sochi, resulting in a significant emergency response, while Ukrainian areas continue to face retaliatory strikes from Russia.**
**Ukraine Drone Strike Sparks Major Fire at Sochi Oil Facility, Claims Russia**
**Ukraine Drone Strike Sparks Major Fire at Sochi Oil Facility, Claims Russia**
**Incident linked to rising tensions as Ukraine targets Russian energy infrastructure**
The tension between Russia and Ukraine escalated as Moscow accused Ukraine of carrying out a drone strike that led to a massive fire at an oil depot near Sochi. The Krasnodar region's Governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported that debris from the drone struck a fuel tank, igniting the blaze that required the efforts of 127 firefighters to extinguish. This incident temporarily disrupted operations at Sochi's airport, famous for hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics.
In retaliation, Russia launched missile strikes on the Ukrainian city of Kherson, resulting in civilian casualties, including one fatality reported by local officials. The situation worsened in Mykolaiv, where seven individuals sustained injuries, and multiple homes were significantly damaged. Ukraine had already reported a grim toll of seven casualties from Russian strikes over the weekend, which affected various regions including Kherson and eastern Donetsk.
Moscow asserted that the drone attack on the Sochi oil depot was part of a broader pattern of Ukrainian assaults over the weekend, which also targeted central Russian cities like Ryazan, Penza, and Voronezh, leading to injuries in Voronezh as well. Ukrainian officials have yet to confirm or comment on the allegations against them.
The Russian defense ministry maintained that its air defenses successfully intercepted several incoming Ukrainian drones, while Ukraine reported shooting down a portion of the Russian aerial assault that included 76 drones and seven missiles, with 61 successfully neutralized.
In Kherson, regional head Oleksandr Prokudin called for a partial evacuation due to severe damage from ongoing Russian attacks, particularly on the Ostrivsky bridge, which is critical for communications in the city. This call comes in light of a particularly violent week for civilians across Ukraine, which saw multiple incidents, including a significant attack on Kyiv that left numerous fatalities.
In response to the escalating violence, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged for intensified international sanctions against Russia, while former President Donald Trump condemned Russia's military aggression, hinting at potential new sanctions targeting Moscow’s economy.
In retaliation, Russia launched missile strikes on the Ukrainian city of Kherson, resulting in civilian casualties, including one fatality reported by local officials. The situation worsened in Mykolaiv, where seven individuals sustained injuries, and multiple homes were significantly damaged. Ukraine had already reported a grim toll of seven casualties from Russian strikes over the weekend, which affected various regions including Kherson and eastern Donetsk.
Moscow asserted that the drone attack on the Sochi oil depot was part of a broader pattern of Ukrainian assaults over the weekend, which also targeted central Russian cities like Ryazan, Penza, and Voronezh, leading to injuries in Voronezh as well. Ukrainian officials have yet to confirm or comment on the allegations against them.
The Russian defense ministry maintained that its air defenses successfully intercepted several incoming Ukrainian drones, while Ukraine reported shooting down a portion of the Russian aerial assault that included 76 drones and seven missiles, with 61 successfully neutralized.
In Kherson, regional head Oleksandr Prokudin called for a partial evacuation due to severe damage from ongoing Russian attacks, particularly on the Ostrivsky bridge, which is critical for communications in the city. This call comes in light of a particularly violent week for civilians across Ukraine, which saw multiple incidents, including a significant attack on Kyiv that left numerous fatalities.
In response to the escalating violence, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged for intensified international sanctions against Russia, while former President Donald Trump condemned Russia's military aggression, hinting at potential new sanctions targeting Moscow’s economy.
