Ukraine Hits Energy Facilities With Huge Drone Attack, Russia Says

A series of explosions rocked southwestern Russia and the Russian-occupied peninsula of Crimea early Friday as fuel depots, oil refineries and power facilities came under attack in what Moscow said was a huge Ukrainian assault involving more than 100 drones.

Although the full extent of the damage caused was unclear, the Russian authorities reported that an electricity substation was hit in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, leading to rolling blackouts.

Fires also broke out at several oil facilities in southwestern Russia, including in the port of Novorossiysk, which operates an important oil terminal.

The barrage came as Ukrainian forces are struggling to contain a new Russian offensive in their country’s northeast, while facing continued attacks along the 600-mile front line.

For the past several months, Ukraine has sought to disrupt Moscow’s military operations and put pressure on the Russian economy by inflicting damage away from the front, targeting logistical hubs and energy facilities.

The Ukrainian authorities did not immediately comment on the attack.

The attack on Novorossiysk was particularly noteworthy because it was the first time that Ukraine had targeted oil facilities there, according to Damien Ernst, an energy expert and professor at the University of Liège, Belgium.