Second Drone Attacks Target Russian Oil Pipeline and Regions
Overview
Drones assailed the critical hub of the "Druzhba" oil pipeline in Russia, causing disruption.
Ukraine has stepped up its drone attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, with the latest strikes hitting the Druzhba oil pipeline network and multiple regions. These attacks have disrupted energy supplies, causing fuel price increases and further straining relations between Russia and Ukraine.
Details of the Attacks
- Bryansk Region: The Linear Production and Dispatch Station (LPDS) "Unetcha" in the Bryansk region, a significant node in the Druzhba oil pipeline network, was targeted in two attacks this week. The first attack on August 13 resulted in a thick black cloud of smoke and the alleged shooting down of 12 strike drones. At least one strike drone hit the LPDS "Unetcha" during the first attack. Footage of the nighttime attack has surfaced online, showing a red glow in the sky. Residents of the Bryansk region have reported drone attacks on the city of Unetcha and the surrounding area, with the LPDS "Unetcha" in the village of Vysokoe being the primary target.
- Volgograd Region: Explosions occurred in the Volgograd region around 03:00 hours, with residents reporting the sound. Around 02:00 hours, the airport in Volgograd temporarily suspended operations due to the threat of strike drones. Drone debris fell on the roof of a 16-story building in Volgograd, leading to the evacuation of residents. The specific details about the target of the explosions are not available.
Impact
- Fuel Prices: The attacks have led to an increase in Russian wholesale gasoline prices, with AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline reaching 71,500 rubles and 80,430 rubles per ton, respectively. Prices have risen by 38% and 49% since the start of the year.
- Energy Security: The strikes have disrupted energy supplies, raising concerns about potential fuel shortages across Russia and Central Europe.
- Diplomatic Tensions: The attacks have strained relations between Ukraine and countries such as Hungary and Slovakia, which are reliant on the Druzhba pipeline and have denounced the attacks as threats to their energy security.
Investigation
While specific investigations into these attacks are not detailed in the provided sources, Ukraine's strategy appears focused on targeting key infrastructure to weaken Russia's ability to fund its war efforts and negotiate from a position of strength. The attacks on the Druzhba pipeline may also be seen as a response to Hungary's and Slovakia's stance on Russian energy imports and their opposition to Western support for Ukraine. Emergency services are working at the scene in the Bryansk region to manage the aftermath of the attacks.
[1]: [Source 1] [2]: [Source 2] [3]: [Source 3] [4]: [Source 4] [5]: [Source 5]
- The escalating drone attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, such as the latest strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline network and multiple regions, are generating widespread coverage in the general news, highlighting the ongoing war-and-conflicts and politics involved.
- As the number of crime-and-justice incidents like drone attacks on critical infrastructure, such as the Linear Production and Dispatch Station in Bryansk and Volgograd regions, continues to rise, there is mounting concern about the potential long-term implications for international relations and energy security.
