Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Refineries; Moscow Launches Attacks on Railway Station and Commercial Ship
News Summary
Editorially Reviewed.
- According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine launched drone attacks on two oil refineries located hundreds of kilometers from the Russian border.
- The Russian Defense Ministry reported that 605 drones were shot down during the Ukrainian attacks, describing the strike in Yaroslavl as the largest so far.
- In response, Russia has carried out retaliatory strikes in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa regions, resulting in at least 17 civilian deaths and increasing casualties among the general population.
August 7, Moscow (RASS/AFP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine targeted two Russian oil refineries situated hundreds of kilometers from the Russia-Ukraine border in a nighttime drone strike. In retaliation, Russia attacked a railway station and a commercial ship in Ukraine.
Both sides have recently intensified long-range attacks, resulting in a rising death toll among civilians. Kyiv has launched an unprecedented number of drone attacks on Russia, while Moscow has responded with its highest ever volume of missile and rocket strikes.
Zelensky specified that the oil refineries targeted are located in Bashkortostan and Yaroslavl, approximately 1,300 kilometers and 700 kilometers respectively from the active front lines.
He stated that these strikes strengthen diplomatic possibilities and underscore the need for Russia to cease hostilities and choose peace. Zelensky also posted a video on Russian social media showing black smoke rising from one of the refineries.
Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported shooting down 605 Ukrainian drones overnight.
The governor of Yaroslavl, located north of Moscow, confirmed that 92 drones were downed in the area. Zelensky confirmed the refinery strike in this region, with the governor describing it as the largest military assault ever witnessed there.
In Tver, north of Moscow, a drone reportedly struck the logistics center of Wildberries, one of Russia’s largest e-commerce companies, which has been repeatedly targeted over the past month.
A Russian missile strike on Kyiv the previous day resulted in at least 17 deaths and destruction of warehouses belonging to various retail businesses. Following the failure to intercept the missiles, Zelensky has urged allies to provide air defense equipment immediately.
On Wednesday night, a Russian attack on Lozhova railway station in northeastern Kharkiv killed two people. Meanwhile, the governor of the Odesa region reported that a Russian strike on a commercial ship carrying Ukrainian wheat in the Black Sea caused one fatality.
Despite more than four years since Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine, diplomatic efforts remain stalled while both sides continue escalating long-distance attacks, causing increased civilian casualties.