Explosions were reported at an oil depot near Simferopol in occupied Crimea, a chemical plant in the Russian city of Veliky Novgorod, and several energy sites, media reported late on Dec. 13.
An oil depot near Uryupinsk, Volgograd Oblast, and a power station in Smolensk were reportedly hit by drones, media reported.
Russian authorities reported 41 drones over the territory of occupied Crimea amid the reported explosions at an oil depot near Simferopol, Pro-Ukrainian Telegram Channel Crimean Wind reported.
The Akron Chemical Plant in the Russian city of Veliky Novgorod was hit in the drone attack, with smoke seen rising from the site, Telegram channel Exilenova+ reported.
The details could not immediately be verified, and Ukraine's military has not yet commented on the attack.
Ukraine regularly strikes Russian military infrastructure in an effort to diminish Moscow's fighting power as it continues to wage its war against Ukraine.
Russian energy directly funds the Kremlin's war, and energy infrastructure sites are considered military targets by Kyiv.
Reuters reported on Dec. 9 that Russia's Syzran oil refinery halted operations on Dec. 5 after sustaining damage in a Ukrainian drone attack.
Ukraine confirmed the strike, saying it carried out the operation to "reduce the military and economic potential of the Russian aggressor."
Meanwhile, the Slavneft-Yanos oil refinery in Yaroslavl, one of Russia's five largest, was struck in a drone attack overnight on Dec. 12, Ukraine's General Staff confirmed later the same day.
"This is one of the largest refineries of the occupiers, which is capable of processing from 15 million tons of oil and oil condensate per year. It is involved in providing the armed forces of the Russian invaders," the General Staff said in a Telegram post.
Rest assured, the Russians are losing many troops in these small advances. The few soldiers remaining in each occupied zone are easily decimated afterward. You can see this phenomenon in the Kupyansk sector, which was taken by the Russians on November 20th, but the Ukrainians retook part of it shortly afterward. In fact, Zelensky was there on December 12th, proving that the Russians no longer have control of that entire zone.
It took Assad+Iran+Russia several years to take back Aleppo from Syrian rebels, then the rebels took it back in 2 days (and the rest of the country in 11 days).
Oils well that ends well
To me it seems like it's no longer well oiled.
It's close to Christmas, I guess they are helping out to rekindle the spirit.
Russians are celebrating in Jan so hopefully this is just the "advent calendar" thing building up for the big bang after the New Years.
Excellent
Ukraine is winning and yet losing ground at the same time. Very strange
Barely losing ground. 1% since the end of 2022.
It's not strange. That's how the Soviet Union won some of the major battles against the Germans in World War II. It's called defense in depth.
Don't think that's the case here. I see no recovery whatsoever
Rest assured, the Russians are losing many troops in these small advances. The few soldiers remaining in each occupied zone are easily decimated afterward. You can see this phenomenon in the Kupyansk sector, which was taken by the Russians on November 20th, but the Ukrainians retook part of it shortly afterward. In fact, Zelensky was there on December 12th, proving that the Russians no longer have control of that entire zone.
Look up "Fabian defensive war strategy".
It took Assad+Iran+Russia several years to take back Aleppo from Syrian rebels, then the rebels took it back in 2 days (and the rest of the country in 11 days).
That's why my gas went up by 20 cent