Reports indicate that Ukraine strikes Russian oil assets in the Caspian Sea, hitting the V. Filanovsky and Valery Grayfe platforms hard. Along with the Yuri Korchagin platform, these facilities sustained direct hits during an overnight raid. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the operation, stating that it was aimed at weakening Russia’s economic capacity to fund the war. These platforms, owned by Lukoil, are vital for Russia’s energy exports, and their disruption is a direct blow to the Kremlin’s finances.
The platforms were targeted multiple times in December, indicating that they are a priority for Ukrainian forces. The damage is currently being assessed, but the report of direct hits suggests significant impact. Lukoil has not yet issued a statement, adding to the uncertainty. This strike on offshore infrastructure represents an expansion of the war into the economic domain, targeting the resources that sustain the Russian military.
In addition to the economic strikes, Ukrainian forces destroyed a Buk-M3 air defense system in the Luhansk region. This system is crucial for protecting Russian troops from aerial attack. Its destruction removes a major threat and allows Ukrainian forces to operate more freely. The multiple explosions at the site confirm the effectiveness of the strike.
A strike on a warehouse in the Kherson region targeted a material and technical support unit, destroying vital supplies. These logistical hubs are essential for the Russian war effort, and their destruction creates immediate problems for frontline commanders. By disrupting the supply chain, Ukraine is weakening the Russian military’s ability to fight.
The conflict also reached the Russian city of Voronezh, where a drone attack resulted in one death and four injuries. Governor Alexander Gusev reported that 17 drones were neutralized in one of the largest attacks on the city. These strikes on Russian territory serve to bring the war home to the Russian people and disrupt the enemy’s rear areas.