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Volodymyr Zelenskyy reports Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and the sinking of the Yanina cargo vessel

Ukrainian drone strikes have significantly impacted Russia's energy infrastructure, with Russian oil refining reaching its lowest level in over two decades during July. Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian drones struck three oil refineries in the Bashkortostan region, which are located nearly 1,600 kilometers from the border. These strikes are part of a broader campaign that targeted 18 refineries and various tankers, pipelines, and port infrastructure throughout the month. Additionally, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that a sanctioned Russian container ship, the Yanina, sank in the Black Sea after being hit by Ukrainian drones. The vessel, operated by Rosatom's shipping subsidiary FESCO, was carrying civilian goods such as frozen food and construction materials. While Russia has attempted to redirect oil exports through Baltic ports, analysts suggest that limited pipeline and storage capacity may constrain these efforts. The administration of the Russian state nuclear energy company, Rosatom, characterized the attack on the Yanina as a market piracy, while Ukraine continues to pressure Russia's energy and logistics hubs to sustain its war effort.

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