A surge in airstrikes on Russian energy and fuel sites has disrupted supplies in several southern regions, state-run Tass news agency reported on Monday, citing the energy ministry. Asked whether the Kremlin is worried about the fuel crisis in Russian-occupied Crimea, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “There are indeed certain problems at the moment. Measures are being taken.” Peskov sought to blame unfounded panic-buying. Ukraine struck the Semykolodezkaya oil plant in the Crimean Peninsula on Sunday night, sparking a fire. The base is used to store fuel reserves supplying the Russian military, according to Ukraine’s military. Ukraine also struck an oil depot near Feodosia in Crimea, Kyiv’s general staff said.
Ukraine’s military said it also hit the Grushovaya oil transshipment base near Novorossiysk in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai region. The complex is one of the largest such hubs in southern Russia for oil and petroleum products. Russian regional authorities confirmed a Ukrainian drone sparked a fire and up to 130 emergency workers had to be brought in.
A French military Rafale fighter jet shot down a drone that entered Nato member Latvia’s airspace from Russia on Monday. The Latvian army said it entered as a result of Russian electromagnetic warfare that was detected before the drone crossed the border. The Latvian prime minister, Andris Kulbergs, hailed the “swift decision-making and professional action” taken in response. The French army confirmed the downing while a Nato official said: “It shows once again Nato’s determination and ability to deter and defend.”
