Aleksey Kopytko / Information Resistance
On the eve of the Munich Conference, where the place of Ukraine in the context of the new security architecture will definitely be discussed both publicly and behind closed doors, the Ukrainian Defense Forces provided food for thought.
On February 12, a combined (missiles and drones of various types) attack was carried out on a number of Russian targets. Targets were hit both in the occupied territories (middle-strike) and deep in Russia (deep strike).
The story about the arsenal in the Volgograd region has already been described, official channels will provide partners with more information about the means of attack.
But the most spectacular performance was organized by the SBU’s “A” SSO. Ukrainian Security Service drones reached the Lukoil-Ukhta Refinery in the Komi Republic.
According to preliminary data, the atmospheric-vacuum distillation unit, responsible for the initial part of the processing cycle, which affects all subsequent processes, was hit. A nice column of black smoke was already seen.
Formally, this is not the biggest or newest plant, with a capacity of about 4 million tons of oil per year. But the main point is elsewhere.
Firstly, the distance is nearly 1800 km in a straight line. But drones fly a more complex trajectory, bypassing air defenses. The total distance will be about 2000 km. To say whether it is a record or not, we need to know the launch point and detailed route. But even without this, it is clear that Ukrainian drones cover the continent.
Secondly, the long-suffering “Lukoil” got hit. Americans are technically seizing foreign assets, the SBU questioned the extraction infrastructure in the Caspian. Every strike on an oil refinery destabilizes the support chains of the Putin regime. All Russian raw material oligarchs can try this scheme on for themselves.
There aren’t many countries that can launch UAVs at 2000 km, and very few can hit refineries in combat conditions.
Ignoring these capabilities is not prudent. Figuring out how to incorporate them into common interests is a challenging task.
One thing is clear: if Europe is interested in Ukraine fighting until the European interest is protected (as cynically suggested by reptilian Wolfgang Ischinger), support for those showing results must be strengthened.
Photo: Special Operations Forces Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
