Ukrainian forces launched a drone strike on an oil refinery in southern Russia overnight, igniting a fire at a fuel facility in the Astrakhan region, local authorities reported on March 17. This attack is part of a broader pattern of aerial strikes by both Ukraine and Russia targeting critical energy infrastructure. Regional governor Igor Babushkin confirmed that refinery workers were evacuated before the strike, though one individual was injured and hospitalized.
The escalation came as Ukraine condemned Russia for rejecting a proposed 30-day ceasefire by the United States, which was offered without preconditions. In response, Moscow fired nearly 200 drones at Ukraine, with Ukrainian air defense intercepting 90 of them, including Iranian-made Shahed models.
In southern Ukraine, drone attacks resulted in power outages affecting around 500 people in the Odesa region. Governor Oleg Kiper reported that the assaults caused damage to several buildings, including a preschool, and left one person injured. The ongoing conflict continues to severely impact both nations, particularly their energy infrastructure and civilian facilities.
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