Ukrainian Forces Strike Key Fuel Pipeline Near Moscow, Impacting Russia’s Army

Ukrainian forces successfully targeted a critical fuel pipeline in the Moscow region, which supplies the Russian army. Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, known by its acronym HUR, confirmed the operation occurred late on Friday, marking a significant blow to Russia’s military logistics.

The strike targeted the Koltsevoy pipeline, which spans approximately 250 miles and transports gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel from refineries in Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod, and Moscow. HUR reported that all three fuel lines were destroyed in the operation, which had the capacity to transport up to 3 million tons of jet fuel, 2.8 million tons of diesel, and 1.6 million tons of gasoline annually. HUR’s head, Kyrylo Budanov, stated, “Our strikes have had more impact than sanctions,” referencing the international sanctions imposed on Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ongoing Conflict in Pokrovsk

As Ukraine strikes key infrastructure, the situation remains tense in Pokrovsk, a critical stronghold in the eastern Donetsk region. On Saturday, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have defeated a team of Ukrainian special forces attempting to halt Russian advances into the city. They released videos purportedly showing two captured Ukrainian soldiers discussing the intense fighting and encirclement by Russian troops. The authenticity of these videos is yet to be independently verified, and Kyiv has not publicly responded to the claims.

Conflicting narratives are emerging from both sides regarding the status of Pokrovsk. Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted last week that his forces had encircled Ukrainian defenders in the city. In contrast, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s army chief, emphasized that while the situation is challenging, there is no complete encirclement or blockade, as claimed by Moscow. “A comprehensive operation to destroy and push out enemy forces from Pokrovsk is ongoing,” Syrskyi stated on Telegram.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged on Friday that some Russian units had infiltrated Pokrovsk but insisted that Ukrainian forces are actively working to eliminate them. He noted that Russia has deployed approximately 170,000 troops in the Donetsk region in a major offensive to capture the city.

Escalating Attacks and Civilian Casualties

The conflict has led to further civilian suffering, with a missile strike in the Mykolaiv region resulting in one fatality and injuries to 19 others, including a nine-year-old girl, according to local official Vitaliy Kim. Another strike ignited a fire at a gas plant in the Poltava region, as Russia escalates its drone and missile attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Earlier in the week, these attacks caused widespread power outages and restrictions across the country, which Kyiv has termed “systematic energy terror.”

The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 223 drones into Ukraine overnight, with 206 intercepted. Seventeen drones successfully hit targets in seven regions, although detailed information was not provided. In addition, Russian forces targeted an agricultural facility in the northern Chernihiv region, injuring a 66-year-old woman.

Simultaneously, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down or intercepted 98 Ukrainian drones across various locations, including six approaching Moscow. While there were no immediate reports of casualties in Russia, local authorities reported a significant power outage in Zhukovsky, a city located 25 miles southeast of Moscow, attributing it to an “automatic equipment shutdown.”

As the conflict continues to escalate, both Ukraine and Russia remain engaged in a battle for control over key territories, impacting both military operations and civilian lives.