A Russian Oil Refinery Damaged in Ukrainian Drone Attack

Officials in Russia's Krasnodar region reported on Monday, July 23, that a Ukrainian drone attack has damaged an oil refinery. According to officials, a fire at the Tuapse refinery, owned by Russian oil giant Rosneft, was later extinguished. This refinery had previously been damaged multiple times earlier this year in attacks by Ukrainian forces. Krasnodar is located in the east of the occupied Crimean Peninsula. The Russian Defense Ministry also reported on Monday the destruction of 75 Ukrainian drones in areas along and near the Russia-Ukraine border, including eight drones over Krasnodar. Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the Belgorod region, stated on Telegram that a Ukrainian drone struck a tractor, resulting in the death of the driver and injuries to another person. On the other hand, the Ukrainian army announced on Monday that its air defense had shot down 16 Russian drones the previous day. Serhiy Lysak, the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, reported on Telegram that Russia attacked with artillery and kamikaze drones, targeting several villages and damaging homes. The Russian airstrikes occurred a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the country's air defense had been further strengthened with the arrival of Patriot missile systems. In his evening speech on Sunday, Zelensky said, 'We will be able to do more in the sky. Of course, there is still a lot of work ahead, and we are still far from guaranteed protection; however, it means more power for Ukraine.' Amid the ongoing attacks and prisoner exchanges, NATO command will become operational in coordinating aid to Ukraine starting from October. The continuation of Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure has resulted in the deaths of two more civilians. Russia reacted to Trump's promise regarding the Ukraine war, stating that it had previously promised peace in the Middle East. The Ukrainian Defense Minister claimed that 500,000 Russian soldiers are surrounding their country. The Pentagon stated that its policy regarding restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine has not changed. Zelensky noted that Russia used 'Shahed' drones in nighttime attacks and emphasized the need for long-range weapons. A Ukrainian drone targeted Russia's second long-range military radar. The escalation of conflict between Russia and Ukraine in the skies continues, with both sides reporting the downing of each other's drones. Putin stated that there is no need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, but he did not rule out the option. The missile attacks on Ukrainian power plants continue.