Ukraine is counting on more partisan actions in Russia. (Symbolic image) © Alexander Zemlianichenko/ picture alliance/dpa/AP | Alexander Zemlianichenko
On Saturday, the administration of an oil pipeline in Russia will be attacked. Ukraine expects more sabotage actions to follow.
Ukraine/ Russia - In the western Russian region of Pskov, an administrative building of an oil pipeline was damaged by an explosion on Saturday. According to Governor Mikhail Vedernikov, two drones attacked the building early Saturday morning near the village of Litvinovo, located about ten kilometers from Russia's border with Belarus.
According to information from the Telegram channel Basa, which is known for its good contacts with the Russian security forces, the alleged drone attack was aimed at the oil pumping station of the Russian pipeline operator Transneft in Pskov. According to the report, there was also an attack on an oil refinery near Erochino, in the western Russian region of Tver. The press service of the region said that a drone crashed near Erochino, there were no casualties.
Sabotage actions in the Ukraine war: Russia could be affected more often
In recent weeks, reports of drone strikes in Russia have increased, especially in the border areas with Ukraine. According to Russian sources, two drones damaged buildings in the center of the southern Russian city of Krasnodar on Friday. And according to Ukraine's assessments, these attacks will increase in the course of the Ukraine war.
"We can only assume that partisan activity on the territory of Russia will increase its intensity," Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry, told Newsweek. He added: "It is difficult for the Russians to hide these high-profile attacks. And they also serve a psychological purpose, because they show that unknown partisan groups are successfully operating on the territory of Russia."
"It is important to disrupt or complicate the enemy's supply and logistics," he said. "However, we must bear in mind that oil reserves in Russia are huge, and these events could lead to disruptions, but not to a blockade of Russia's military capabilities."
Russia: Belgorod reports shelling again
The governor of the western Russian border region of Belgorod also said on Saturday that his region had been shelled again after dozens of attacks had already been reported on Friday. It is also slowly becoming apparent that Russia is under pressure from more and more drone attacks.
At the beginning of the week, according to the Russian army, there were clashes in Belgorod between fighters who had invaded from Ukraine and the Russian army. Moscow blames Kiev and its Western backers for the increased number of attacks and sabotage actions. Ukraine has denied any involvement. (Reuters/kat)
