Kathmandu— On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Ukrainian forces conducted long-range strikes on key Russian military and energy infrastructure, including the Saratov Oil Refinery and the Engels military airbase. The attacks were aimed at weakening Russia's war capabilities by targeting strategic facilities located deep inside Russian territory.

Strategic Targets Hit

Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian forces targeted several critical sites in Russia, including the Saratov Oil Refinery and the Engels military airbase. The strikes also hit a tank farm in the Lyudinovskaya oil depot in Kaluga and a site used for storing and launching attack drones in Bryansk. He thanked Ukraine's Defence Forces for expanding their long-range strike capabilities.

Russian Attacks on Ukrainian Regions

According to Zelenskyy, 16 Ukrainian regions faced Russian attacks over the past week. Russia launched around 1,900 drones, nearly 1,600 aerial bombs, and 144 missiles of various types, including ballistic missiles. The northeastern Sumy region was hit by aerial bombs, while a drone strike in Brovary killed one person and injured six others. Kharkiv and the surrounding regions remained under constant attack.

Calls for International Support

Zelenskyy urged Western allies to transfer Patriot air defence interceptors to Ukraine to defend against Russian attacks. He also called for stricter international sanctions targeting individuals and entities involved in producing Russian ballistic weapons, launchers, and components. Zelenskyy pointed out that Moscow is increasingly using jet-powered 'Shahed' drones, warning that Russia's prolonging of the war allows it to develop new tactics threatening security beyond Ukraine.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.