Zelenskiy confirms Ukraine struck Rosatom ship and three Russian refineries
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that Ukrainian forces attacked a Rosatom container ship in the Black Sea and struck three oil refineries in Russia's Bashkortostan. The vessel Yanina was hit by drones late on July 31 about 200 km from Novorossiysk, with all 17 crew rescued, while fires broke out at the Ufa refining complex after the strikes. The attacks occurred even as Rosatom's chief insisted the ship was a civilian vessel carrying only peaceful cargo.
The Yanina Strike
Ukrainian drones targeted the Russian container ship Yanina late on July 31, hitting it roughly 200 kilometers from the port of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea. Alexei Likhachev, head of Rosatom, said the vessel was a civilian ship transporting exclusively peaceful goods and that all 17 crew members were rescued. Zelenskiy's confirmation of the attack underscores Kyiv’s ability to strike naval targets far from Ukraine’s coast. No independent verification of the cargo type was immediately available.
Ufa Refinery Complex Hit
Drone strikes also targeted oil refining infrastructure in Bashkortostan, with a fire reported at the Bashneft-Ufaneftekhim plant in Ufa, according to independent outlet Astra. Regional head Radiy Khabirov stated that air defenses shot down drones over Ufa, but falling debris caused smoke in an industrial zone; he did not specify which facility was affected. The Ufa complex, comprising three major refineries, has a combined capacity of 23.5 million tons of crude oil per year, making it one of Russia’s largest refining centers. No casualties were reported in the attacks.
What's Next
Ukraine is expected to continue targeting Russian energy infrastructure and naval assets as part of its strategy to disrupt Moscow’s war effort, with officials hinting at more strikes deep inside Russian territory. However, it remains unclear whether the attack on a Rosatom vessel will escalate tensions over nuclear safety or draw a harsher response from the Kremlin.
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Zelenskiy confirms Ukraine struck Rosatom ship and three Russian refineries
