A significant blaze is currently ablaze at an oil storage facility in the Bryansk region of western Russia, following a drone attack from Ukraine on Friday. This attack is the most recent evidence of Ukrainian forces targeting areas within Russian territory, which has been ongoing for nearly two years since the beginning of the conflict.

According to Russian state news agency Tass, Bryansk regional Governor Alexander Bogomaz reported that in Klintsy, a city near the Ukrainian border with a population of 70,000, four reservoirs containing a combined 6,000 cubic meters (1.6 million gallons) of oil were on fire, causing thick smoke to rise into the air.

According to Bogomaz, the warehouse caught on fire after pieces of a drone, shot down by the military, hit the building.

Bogomaz reported on the Telegram messaging app that the defense ministry successfully took down a drone similar to an airplane using radio-electronic methods. As a result, the munitions of the drone were released and fell onto the Klintsy oil depot area.

According to him, two additional Ukrainian drones were shot down on Friday by air defense units in different areas of Bryansk, a neighboring region to Ukraine.

He stated that there were no injuries during the attack.

According to Reuters news agency, the information was reported, but they were unable to confirm the statements on their own.

According to Interfax news agency, Oleksandr Kamyshin, the Minister of Strategic Industries in Ukraine, stated during a panel at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland on Friday that Ukrainian drones were directed towards the city of St. Petersburg overnight.

St. Petersburg, the second-largest city in Russia, is located approximately 900 kilometers (560 miles) north of the Ukrainian border.

The Russian city of Belgorod, near the Ukrainian border, canceled its usual Orthodox Epiphany celebrations on Friday due to a series of drone attacks from Ukraine. This was the first instance of major public events being cancelled in Russia as a result of the drone danger.

According to reports from Ukrainian media, a representative from Ukraine’s intelligence agency stated that Ukrainian drones launched an attack on a gunpowder factory in Tambov, located approximately 600 kilometers (370 miles) south of Moscow, on Friday.

However, Governor Maxim Yegorov of Tambov stated that the factory was operating without any issues, as reported by Russia’s RBC news agency. The Mash news agency had previously claimed that a Ukrainian drone had crashed onto the plant on Thursday, but no damage was caused.

Russia and Ukraine are currently engaged in reciprocal attacks on their respective energy infrastructure, with the aim of demoralizing one another during the winter season.

Ukraine’s actions within Russia are also intended to disrupt daily life and undermine President Vladimir Putin’s uncontested presidential election in March.

According to officials in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has promised to strike deeper into Russia this year. The air defenses in Russia are currently concentrated on occupied areas of Ukraine, leaving more remote targets within Russia susceptible to attacks from Ukraine’s long-range drones.

During his video speech on Friday evening, Zelenskyy stated that during these uncertain times when wars are posing a threat to humanity, the world has the ability to protect and uphold a normal way of life. He emphasized the importance of utilizing this strength to put a stop to Russia’s actions.

Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to all those who provide assistance and defend Ukraine, as well as those who work towards its success and keep in mind the important task of removing the occupiers. He reassured that this goal will certainly be achieved.

On Friday, the Ukrainian president’s office reported that a 57-year-old woman was killed by Russian shelling in the northeastern Kharkiv region, while a man was killed by a land mine in the same area.

against coronavirus

Macron calls for implementing a “war economy strategy” to combat the coronavirus.

On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron called on defense companies to ramp up production in order to better meet Ukraine’s needs in its defensive conflict with Russia.

During his visit to the Cherbourg naval base in northwestern France, Macron emphasized the need for the defense industry to transition to a “war economy mode.” He expressed concern over the possibility of Russia believing they could emerge victorious and cautioned that this would result in the collapse of European security.

On Thursday, Ukraine issued a warning that its military is currently experiencing a severe shortage of ammunition that poses a significant and immediate threat.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, echoed the warnings of Macron. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, she called on Ukraine’s Western allies to maintain arms deliveries and financial aid. She emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine’s resistance in order for them to succeed in the war.

The European Union had committed to providing 1 million shells by the beginning of 2024, but members of the European Parliament have noted that only 300,000 have been delivered thus far.

Black Sea grain deal

On Friday, the Kremlin declared that there is no possibility of restoring the U.N.-mediated agreement for transporting grain through the Black Sea. They also stated that seeking alternative shipping routes for Ukrainian grain poses significant dangers.

Last year, the initial agreement that allowed for secure exportation of grain from Ukraine through the Black Sea ended when Moscow chose not to extend it. They stated that their own interests had been disregarded.

Bloomberg News reported on Friday that the European Union has initiated talks regarding a potential set of sanctions against Russia, which may be finalized by February 24.

Possible actions may consist of additional listings, stricter trade limitations, and stronger efforts to prevent Moscow from circumventing the sanctions imposed by the EU. This information was reported by individuals familiar with the situation.

This report contains information from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and Reuters.

Source: voanews.com