Ukrainian armed forces reportedly attacked a key Russian oil refinery and depot in the occupied Luhansk region, specifically in the town of Rovenky. The attack, which occurred late on May 10, utilized at least one U.S.-provided MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) equipped with a cluster warhead. This strike resulted in severe damage to several storage tanks at the facility and ignited a large fire, marking another strategic hit against Russian military logistics.
Rovenky, under Russian control since 2014 and situated over 110 kilometers from the current front lines, has been a critical logistical node for Russian forces, particularly for the storage of petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL). The town’s proximity to railway facilities further underscores its importance in supporting Russian military operations in the region. The Ukrainian strike targeted the oil depot around 22:00, causing multiple explosions that were captured by local residents and later circulated on social media.
Around 200 tonnes (metric tons) of fuel are on fire after an explosion at an oil depot in the city of Rovenky in the Lugansk People’s Republic, some pipelines have also been damaged, local authorities say pic.twitter.com/L2V0VCq326
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) February 27, 2022
BREAKING:
The Ukrainian Army has struck a Russian oil refinery in the Luhansk region with an ATACMS missile.
Large parts of the facility are on fire pic.twitter.com/i98ejpttj1
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) May 10, 2024
Leonid Pasechnik, head of Russia’s occupation administration in Luhansk Oblast, attributed the attack to Ukrainian forces, stating it caused collateral damage to nearby residential areas, reportedly killing one person and injuring six others. The incident reflects Ukraine’s intensified efforts to disrupt Russian military supply lines, particularly targeting fuel storage to hinder the operational capabilities of Russian troops in occupied territories.
This strategic use of long-range missiles by Ukraine signals a potent enhancement in its military tactics, aimed at weakening Russian logistical and operational efficiency. The attack on the Rovenky oil depot follows a series of similar strikes on Russian fuel facilities, both within the occupied territories and in Russia itself, as Ukraine continues to extend the reach of its military operations.
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