Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) struck an oil facility in the Yaroslavl region of Russia, located approximately 700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, as well as the Azot chemical plant in the Tula region.
In response to these attacks, restrictions on air traffic were implemented at six Russian airports. Since the evening of June 13, air raid alerts have been declared across 28 regions of Russia.
“Strikes were made against the military logistics of the occupier in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Ukraine is executing its long-range sanctions plan against Russia and has specific tasks regarding retaliatory strikes due to Russia’s refusal to end this war. We have proposed all possible formats for negotiations to the Russian leadership, and the response has only been continued aggression and attempts to expand it. Logically, the war returns to where it began. Ukraine needs peace. Glory to Ukraine!” – President Zelensky stated.
Earlier reports indicated that the Tula region faced drone attacks on the night of June 14, as confirmed by local governor Dmitry Milyaev.
“Dear residents of the Tula region! A threat of UAV attacks has been declared in the area. Please remain calm. The emergency services number is: 112,” he wrote.
Following the attacks, OSINT channels began circulating videos from eyewitnesses showing drones in flight and explosions at the Azot facility, which resulted in a fire.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have shot down 249 drones, stating that these UAVs were detected over 15 regions of Russia, including occupied Crimea and the Sea of Azov. The ministry asserted that the majority of the drones were intercepted in border regions with Ukraine, such as Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk. However, independent verification of these claims is currently unavailable.
As of now, Ukrainian authorities and military officials have not commented on the recent attacks. Radio Svoboda has been unable to independently verify this information.
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian regions have frequently experienced shelling and drone attacks. The Russian Ministry of Defense regularly reports on intercepted missiles and drones over its territory, while Kyiv typically refrains from commenting on these claims.
Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted a Russian oil facility and a chemical plant, prompting air traffic restrictions in several regions of Russia. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported the interception of numerous drones, though independent verification remains lacking.