Ukraine pounded targets in Russia on with dozens of drones and rockets in an attack that inflicted serious damage on a major oil refinery and sought to pierce the land borders of the world's biggest nuclear power with armed proxies, just days before the presidential election which is expected to renew Putin's grasp over the country. 

Belgorod

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Ukraine launched a significant attack on Russian territory, utilizing a considerable number of drones and rockets. This aggressive move was characterized by the targeting of vital energy infrastructures, notably a major oil refinery, which sustained serious damage. The offensive not only aimed at economic assets but also sought to challenge Russia's territorial integrity by deploying armed proxies to penetrate the land borders, emphasizing the boldness of Ukraine's tactics against the formidable nuclear state. This development comes at a critical juncture, just days before a presidential election in Russia, which is anticipated to reinforce Vladimir Putin's control over the country.



Ukraine, armed proxies strike Russian energy targets

Ukraine pounded targets in Russia with dozens of drones and rockets on Tuesday. Eyewitness videos showed fire and smoke at two fuel facilities in the West. Russian officials also reported a separate fire at a major refinery. Moscow says it downed over two dozen drones in all. The mayor of the western city of Belgorod posted these images online, saying they showed the aftermath of an attack there. Meanwhile, Ukraine-backed armed proxy groups said they launched cross-border raids. Their fighters purport to be Russians who oppose the Kremlin. One group, called Freedom of Russia Legion, posted footage it said showed its fighters inside Russia. Russia denied that the groups had penetrated its territory, but said the border had come under attack in several places. Ukraine said the proxy groups were acting independently. But the timing of the raids, carried out days before a presidential election in Russia, were widely seen as backed by Kiev. These so-called elections are an electoral procedure that should not take place, said Alexei Baranovsky, a spokesperson for Freedom of Russia Legion. For its part, Russia says it beat the armed attackers back. Kiev casts the proxy fighters as puppets of the Ukrainian military and American CIA. Its TASS news agency cited the Federal Security Service as saying Russian forces killed 100 people. To underscore its point, Russia also released footage it said showed a wrecked tank in Belgorod. Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield statements by either side. This is not the first time Kiev has taken aim at energy facilities. This video shows an alleged drone attack on one last month. The strikes could add up to a problem for Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of this week's vote. Domestic gas prices are sensitive, and Russia has a six-month-long export ban in place.

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Ukraine Invasion