Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Terminal, Two Tankers as Moscow's Attacks Kill 10 Civilians
Russian drone and missile strikes have claimed the lives of 10 people and injured at least 76 across Ukraine over the past 24 hours. Officials in five regions reported fatalities as Moscow continued its systematic aerial bombardment of Ukrainian urban centres.
Concurrently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that an oil terminal in Russia's north-west had sustained significant damage, alongside two Russian oil tankers struck near the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. These vessels, Zelensky asserted, were part of Russia's "shadow fleet", designed to circumvent Western sanctions. Details regarding the extent of damage to these ships remain undisclosed.
Ukraine's military reported intercepting the majority of a ballistic missile and nearly 270 drones launched by Russia. Kherson region's governor confirmed three deaths, with two fatalities each in Odesa, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions, and one in Sumy region.
In response, Russia claimed Ukraine launched at least 334 drones, with a heavy concentration targeting the north-western Leningrad region. Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, particularly export terminals, have intensified in recent weeks, with Kyiv claiming billions of dollars in export losses. Zelensky specified that the Primorsk terminal infrastructure, near Finland, and three ships there, suffered substantial damage. He also indicated that naval drones struck two tankers at the entrance to Novorossiysk port, asserting their active use for oil transport would now cease.
While Russian authorities have largely downplayed the operational impact of these attacks, the Kremlin has openly expressed concerns over the increasing reach of Ukrainian drones into its territory. This concern was evident in the recent decision to scale back the annual Victory Day military parade on 9 May, citing a "terrorist threat" from Ukraine.
