On the night of March 23, the Ukrainian Defense Forces conducted a large-scale operation against Russia’s energy and military infrastructure. These strikes targeted strategic sites from the Leningrad region to occupied areas in the East, destroying essential fuel supplies and weapon stockpiles used for the full-scale invasion.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that long-range drones successfully hit the “Transneft – Port Primorsk” terminal in the Leningrad region. This facility serves as Russia’s primary export hub on the Baltic Sea, handling 60 million tons of oil annually. The attack damaged the reservoir park and loading infrastructure, leading to a massive fire. Additionally, Ukrainian forces struck the “Bashneft-Ufaneftekhim” refinery in Ufa, located approximately 1,400 km from the Ukrainian border.
Neutralization of Drones and Air Defense Systems
The operation also focused on degrading Russia’s aerial capabilities and logistics. Robert Brovdi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, confirmed the destruction of “Shahed” drone warehouses in Makiivka, Donetsk region. Pilots also targeted a main telecommunications server room in occupied Donetsk, which managed critical fiber-optic communication lines for the occupying forces.
Simultaneously, Ukrainian units neutralized Russian air defense systems, including “Tor” and “Tunguska” complexes in the Donetsk and Bryansk regions. Other successful strikes hit a fuel train near Stanytsia Luhanska and a chemical munitions workshop in Avdiivka. These facilities were vital for maintaining the combat readiness of the Russian army on the front lines.
Previously, The Ukrainian Review reported that Russia plans to mobilize approximately 409,000 additional troops in 2026 to intensify its military operations.
