President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the attacks on the Engels airfield and a refinery in the Saratov region, located approximately 600km from Ukraine’s border; an oil depot in the Kaluga region and a drone launch site in Bryansk were also struck.

Ukraine Describes Strikes as ‘Long-Range Sanctions’

Zelensky described the attacks as ‘our long-range sanctions’ against Russian facilities he claims finance Moscow’s war — the Engels airfield and Saratov oil refinery were labeled as ‘strategic facilities’ by the Ukrainian leader.

The Ukrainian military reported a blaze at the airfield, one of the main bases for Russia’s strategic aviation; Tu-95MC and Tu-160 bombers are regularly launched from Engels to conduct missile strikes against Ukraine, according to the statement.

Eight Killed in Russian Claims of Ukrainian Strikes

Russia reported eight deaths from the Ukrainian strikes, In addition, 635 drones were either shot down or intercepted, and another strike hit a warehouse of Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer. Meanwhile, Russia said its forces attacked two Ukrainian ports and two vessels in the Black Sea overnight.

Later on Sunday, Ukraine reported one person killed in a Russian strike on a postal terminal near Kharkiv. Both sides have increased attacks on major cities, energy facilities, and warehouses, as the front line remains largely unchanged and US-led mediation has not produced a breakthrough.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Zelensky’s Sunday social media post emphasized the ongoing targeting of Russian infrastructure that funds the war effort.

Wildberries Warehouse Targeted in Latest Attack

In Saratov, regional Governor Roman Busargin acknowledged that a drone attack damaged civilian infrastructure in both Saratov and Engels, adding that two people were killed in the incident. Separately, three people were reported killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on a civilian vehicle in the Udmurtia region, and another three in the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine.

Samara regional Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev described a strike on a Wildberries warehouse that caused a fire as ‘yet another terrorist act’ by Ukraine; the governor reported no casualties from the overnight attack.

Wildberries, often compared to Amazon in Russia, employs 48,000 people. Ukraine’s attacks on Wildberries logistics hubs have been described as legitimate targets due to the company’s alleged provision of drone components, navigation equipment, and other gear to the Russian military.

Ukraine’s attacks have reportedly had a significant impact on the Russian economy, particularly on hundreds of small and mid-sized businesses that rely on the retailer; Meanwhile, Russia has targeted warehouses of Ukraine’s Nova Poshta postal company and major online retailers like Rozetka.

Rozetka confirmed that its largest warehouse was hit by Russian drones overnight, but reported no injuries as a result of the attack.