Ukrainian forces targeted significant Russian defense-related chemical facilities and oil refineries in a strike that dealt a severe blow to Vladimir Putin’s military capabilities. The attack struck the Metafrax Chemicals plant in Gubakha, Perm region, and the Novo-Ufimsky oil refinery in Ufa, approximately 870 miles away from the conflict zone. Another major refinery, Kirishi in the Leningrad region, caught fire following the daring strikes by Kyiv, aiming to disrupt Moscow’s operations supporting the unlawful invasion of Ukraine. Kirishi, a large plant with a yearly explosive production capacity of 21 million tonnes, was heavily impacted.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces acknowledged their responsibility for the strike on Telegram and are evaluating the repercussions of the strategic hit. Additionally, the Metafrax Chemicals plant faced a separate drone attack, although the local governor assured that there were no casualties and that operations would continue as usual. However, a Ukrainian legislator claimed on Telegram that the drones had caused damage to the facility, which had only recently opened in 2023.
Situated in the Russian Ural mountains, the Gubakha region’s plant is approximately 1,200 miles from Kyiv. These recent strikes demonstrate Ukraine’s military capability to reach deeper into Russian territory to target critical energy and chemical installations.
These successful Kyiv operations coincide with Russia’s ongoing illegal invasion of Ukraine and intensified deadly assaults. More than 20 Ukrainians tragically lost their lives in a brutal Russian airstrike while collecting pensions in a rural village this week. President Zelensky shared a distressing video on Telegram, revealing the devastation in Yarova village, eastern Ukraine, where at least 20 civilians were killed by the air bomb strike.
Zelensky condemned the attack and urged the European nations, the US, and the G20 to take decisive action to halt the escalating conflict. He emphasized the urgent need for a robust response to Russia’s destructive actions, advocating against silence and inactivity from the international community.