**Russian Oil Depot Hit in Overnight Attack, Explosions Rock Sochi**
A critical hit on a Russian oil depot on Tavricheskaya Street has been reported, with the head of the Sirius Federal Territory in Krasnodar Krai, Dmitri Plishkin, urging people to stay away from the area. The attack is just one of several incidents that have taken place in southwestern Russia overnight.
According to reports, the strikes on the federal territory began at around 1 a.m. local time and ended at 3 a.m. Utility and emergency services are currently responding to the aftermath of the attack on the oil refinery. The Ukrainian army has not commented on the incident, which could not be independently verified.
**Sochi Hit by Explosions, One Person Killed**
In separate news, independent Russian media is reporting explosions in Sochi, with local officials confirming that one person has been killed and one injured. While the Ukrainian army has not commented on these claims, they are likely related to a broader pattern of Ukrainian strikes against Russian military targets.
**Russia’s Krasnodar Krai: A Key Location**
Krasnodar Krai is a significant region in southwestern Russia, bordering both the Azov and Black seas. Ukraine has regularly targeted military installations in this area as part of its strategy to reduce Moscow’s fighting power. The recent attacks on Russian cities like Novocherkassk and now Sochi suggest that this campaign may be intensifying.
**Context: Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Territory**
The strikes on the oil depot and other targets are likely connected to Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to disrupt Russia’s military capabilities. Just a few days ago, Ukrainian drones reportedly struck a railway hub used by the Russian military in Rostov Oblast, causing significant damage. A fire also broke out at a train station in the village of Kamenolomni on July 21.
**Expert Commentary**
The Kyiv Independent’s Volodymyr Ivanyshyn notes that these incidents are part of a broader pattern of Ukrainian strikes against Russian military targets. “It appears that Ukraine is stepping up its efforts to disrupt Russia’s supply chains and military capabilities,” Ivanyshyn said in an interview. “These attacks are likely aimed at weakening Moscow’s ability to wage war, particularly in the context of Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia.”
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
