Ukraine Hits Russian Defence Plant and Oil Station in Escalating Attacks
Escalation of Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Infrastructure
Missile Attack on Volgograd Defence Plant
KYIV, June 27 (Reuters) - Ukrainian-made Flamingo missiles hit a plant producing artillery systems and components for missile launch systems in Russia's Volgograd region overnight, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday.
The strikes caused a fire at the premises of the Titan-Barrikady plant, he said on the Telegram app.
Drone Strikes on Russian Oil Infrastructure
Attack on "Vtorovo" Oil Pumping Station
Ukraine's SBU security service also said its drones attacked the "Vtorovo" oil pumping station in Russia's Vladimir region for the second time this month.
The station is a key logistics hub used to ship petroleum products to Russian domestic consumers and also for export, the SBU said on Telegram.
Expansion of Long-Range Sanctions
"The reach of Ukraine's long-range sanctions continues to expand," Zelenskiy said, referring to Kyiv's strikes deep inside Russian territory.
"It is precisely our pressure, day after day, that lays the groundwork for a dignified peace in the end."
Context of Ongoing Conflict
Increase in Ukrainian Drone and Missile Attacks
Ukraine has intensified mid- and long-range drone attacks on the Russian oil facilities and weapon production in recent months in response to Russia's devastating strikes on the capital Kyiv and other cities.
Current State of the Frontline
With the war now in its fifth year, fighting rages along more than 1,200 km of the frontline, and Russia launches hundreds of drones in nearly nightly attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Impact on Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure
Damage to Naftogaz Facilities
Ukraine's energy company, Naftogaz, said its production facilities in the Poltava and Kharkiv regions in the northeast had been damaged following Russian missile and drone attacks over the past two days.
Ongoing Threats and Kyiv's Priorities
Scale of Recent Russian Attacks
Zelenskiy said Russia launched nearly 1,400 drones and 19 missiles during last week's attacks on 15 Ukrainian regions, adding that air defence supplies and drone cooperation with allies remained key priorities for Kyiv.
(Reporting by Olena Harmash; Editing by Jan Harvey and Andrew Heavens)
