Ukrainian Drone Strikes Hit Russian Oil Tankers, Kill One Person and Injure Others
Overview of Recent Drone Attacks and Their Impact
Fatalities and Damage in Saratov Region
MOSCOW, July 8 (Reuters) - Ukraine's overnight drone attacks on Russia killed one person and damaged numerous industrial sites and two empty oil tankers, local authorities said on Wednesday.
The governor of Russia's Saratov region, Roman Busargin, said on Telegram channel that one person was killed, civilian industrial sites were damaged and several people were injured in a Ukrainian drone attack.
Incidents in Rostov Region
Damage to Oil Tankers in Taganrog Bay
Yury Slyusar, the governor of the southern Rostov region, said on Telegram that two tankers were damaged in the Taganrog Bay of the Sea of Azov. He said the vessels, which were en route to Rostov-on-Don, were empty.
The governor added that two people were slightly injured.
Ukrainian Drone Campaign Against Russian Oil Fleet
Targeting the "Shadow Fleet"
Ukrainian drones attacked a dozen tankers from Russia's "shadow fleet" that were delivering fuel to Crimea over the past several days, according to Ukrainian military.
Strategic Importance of the Sea of Azov
The Sea of Azov is a key supply route for Russian forces in Crimea and other Russian-controlled parts of southern Ukraine.
Other Drone Attacks and Russian Response
Attack on Nizhnekamsk, Tatarstan
A "massive" drone attack targeted the Russian city of Nizhnekamsk in the central region of Tatarstan, the city mayor, Radmir Belyayev, said on the Telegram messaging app.
Russian Defence Ministry's Statement
Russia's defence ministry said it downed 415 Ukrainian drones in the past 12 hours.
Context: Ongoing Drone Warfare and Energy Infrastructure
Ukrainian Drone Strikes on Russian Oil Refineries
Ukraine has been stepping up a campaign of drone strikes against Russian oil refineries in recent weeks.
Russian Attacks on Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure
Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's energy infrastructure during the war, now in its fifth year, causing widespread power outages and wintertime heating shortages.
(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Michael Perry)
