On Wednesday evening, a drone strike targeted an oil depot in Russia’s Voronezh region, as reported by Governor Alexander Gusev. The incident, shared on social media, revealed that Russian air defence forces intercepted unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), but not before a fire broke out at the site. The attack underscores the ongoing escalation in hostilities between Ukraine and Russia, especially focusing on critical energy infrastructure.
This event coincides with a broader pattern of targeting energy assets during winter months, a tactic historically employed by russian forces to disrupt Ukraine’s power grids. President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed this sentiment, stating on social media, “It is the middle of winter, and the target for the Russians remains the same: our energy sector.” His words highlight the relentless nature of these assaults, despite the season’s harsh conditions.
Reports from Telegram channels, later verified by Ukrainska Pravda, identified the location of the strike as the town of Liski, situated approximately 90 kilometers from Voronezh and close to Ukraine’s northeastern border. the precision of the attack suggests a strategic aim to weaken Russia’s logistical capabilities in the region.
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У Воронезькій області РФ повідомили про атаку безпілотників на нафтобазу pic.twitter.com/J1OCAMs8fg
— Українська правда ✌️ (@ukrpravda_news) January 15, 2025
The drone assault on the oil depot marks another chapter in the ongoing energy-focused conflict between the two nations. As both sides continue to target each other’s infrastructure, the humanitarian and economic repercussions grow more severe.This latest incident serves as a stark reminder of the war’s far-reaching impacts,extending beyond immediate battlegrounds to disrupt essential services and civilian livelihoods.
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French special Forces Conduct Secret Drill to Counter Potential Belarusian Threat
In late 2024, French Special Forces carried out a covert operation dubbed “Exercise Perseus.” This multi-week drill was designed to prepare for a possible military intervention in the event of Belarus launching an incursion into Ukraine.
In a significant development, a massive fire erupted at a Lukoil refinery in Volgograd, a key industrial city in southern Russia. Known historically as Stalingrad, Volgograd plays a crucial role in the nation’s oil refining and transport infrastructure.
The refinery, one of the largest in the Southern Federal district, processed an impressive 13.5 million tons of oil in 2023. This incident has raised concerns about potential disruptions to the region’s energy supply chain.
On Wednesday, Russia escalated it’s military campaign with a coordinated assault on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, deploying a mix of 43 cruise and ballistic missiles alongside 74 attack drones. The strikes primarily targeted facilities in western Ukraine, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
Oleksandra Komuna, an elderly resident of Sknyliv, a small village in western ukraine, recounted the harrowing experience to AFP. She was at home when the bombardment began, with lamps and plaster crashing down around her. “All the doors and windows were blown out, everything was blown out. The car was damaged, and the roof was damaged. There were cracks everywhere… It’s such a disaster,” she said, her words echoing the chaos of the moment.
Prisoner Exchange Marks a Pivotal Moment
In a separate development, Ukraine and Russia conducted their first prisoner exchange of the year. Ukraine successfully repatriated 25 of its citizens, including soldiers, sailors, and sergeants who had defended key regions such as kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk, as well as the besieged city of Mariupol and the Azovstal steel plant. In return, Russia received an equal number of its own personnel.
Russia’s Defense ministry confirmed the exchange on Telegram, stating, “As a result of the negotiation process, 25 Russian servicemen were returned from territory controlled by the Kyiv regime. In return, 25 Ukrainian servicemen were handed over.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the importance of the repatriation in a social media post, declaring, “bringing our people home is what Ukraine is constantly working on, and we will not stop until we bring all of our people back.”
Meanwhile, ukrainian forces secured a significant tactical victory in the Donetsk region. Along the Toretsk front, near the war-torn city of Bakhmut, the 12th Azov Brigade of Ukraine’s National Guard captured 23 Russian soldiers.According to the brigade’s press service, the Russian troops surrendered voluntarily after being discovered in basements during Ukrainian assaults.
Ukraine’s Presidential Office Applauds Biden’s Final Sanctions Against Russia
As the transition of power from US President Joe Biden to Donald Trump approaches,the Office of the President of Ukraine has welcomed a robust set of sanctions targeting nearly 100 Russian-affiliated entities. Andrii Yermak, Head of the Presidential Office, emphasized the significance of these measures in a statement released on Telegram.
“Today, the United States announced a new sanctions package aimed at increasing pressure on Russia for its aggression and violations of international law. Several proposals from the McFaul-Yermak Sanctions Group were taken into account,” Yermak wrote.
The sanctions target a wide range of individuals, organizations, and companies collaborating with Russia, aiming to curb its ongoing aggression. Below is a detailed breakdown of the entities affected:
- Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant: The Russian Federal State Unitary Enterprise, along with its director general V. Isayev,is penalized for illegally managing the occupied facility.
- Rosatom Subsidiaries: Two key subsidiaries, the Scientific Production Association Centrotech and the Mining and Chemical Plant, face restrictions for their involvement in nuclear activities.
- Keremet Bank: A Kyrgyzstan-based financial institution accused of collaborating with Russian officials to evade sanctions.
- Defense Companies: Over 25 Russian defense firms, including Serov Mechanical Plant and Saransk Instrument-Building Plant, are targeted for their roles in military production.
- International Collaborators: Companies from China, Turkey, UAE, and Malaysia that supplied goods worth millions to sanctioned Russian entities.
- Procurement Networks: Nearly 30 Russian companies involved in procuring and distributing sanctioned goods, including materials for ZALA drones.
- Legal Enablers: Individuals like Viktorov, a lawyer aiding in hiding Rotenberg family assets, along with related companies such as Evocorp.
- Metallurgy Sector: Approximately 25 Russian metallurgy firms, including Kamensk-Uralsky Metallurgical Plant and Terra Steel Group.
- Turkish shipbuilding: Kuzey Star Shipyard, which constructed a floating dock for russian nuclear-powered icebreakers.
These sanctions mark a significant step in the international effort to hold Russia accountable for its actions. By targeting key sectors and collaborators, the measures aim to disrupt Russia’s ability to sustain its aggressive policies.
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