Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil in the Caspian: General Staff Confirms Direct Hits on Platforms

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has officially confirmed that Ukraine strikes Russian oil in the Caspian Sea, achieving direct hits on three major drilling platforms. The V. Filanovsky, Yuri Korchagin, and Valery Grayfe platforms, all operated by the oil giant Lukoil, were the targets of this precision strike. The operation is part of a broader strategy to degrade Russia’s economic capacity to fund its ongoing war in Ukraine. By hitting the infrastructure that generates the country’s wealth, Kyiv aims to force the Kremlin to choose between funding its military and maintaining its economy.
The platforms had been the subject of multiple attacks in December, indicating a sustained campaign against these specific targets. The confirmation of direct hits implies that the latest strike was successful in penetrating defenses and inflicting damage. While the extent of the damage is still being assessed, the potential for disrupted production is high. Lukoil has not yet commented on the situation, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the status of the platforms. This strike on offshore assets represents a significant expansion of the battlefield, bringing the war to the Caspian Sea and targeting the heart of Russia’s energy industry.
In the Luhansk region, Ukrainian forces successfully destroyed a Buk-M3 air defense missile launcher. This system is a critical asset for the Russian military, designed to protect troops and infrastructure from aerial attack. Its destruction, confirmed by reports of multiple explosions, is a tactical victory that weakens Russia’s air defense network in the occupied territories. This success allows Ukrainian forces to operate with greater freedom and reduces the threat to their own aircraft and drones.
A separate strike on a warehouse in the Kherson region targeted a material and technical support unit, aiming to disrupt the logistics that sustain the Russian occupation. By destroying supplies and equipment, Ukraine is weakening the combat power of the Russian army and complicating their ability to conduct operations. This strategy of targeting logistics is designed to grind down the enemy’s capabilities over time and create vulnerabilities that can be exploited on the battlefield.
The conflict also reached the Russian city of Voronezh, where a massive drone attack took place overnight. Governor Alexander Gusev reported that 17 drones were neutralized, but the attack still resulted in one death and four injuries. He described it as one of the largest attacks on the city since the war began. These strikes on Russian territory serve to disrupt logistics, stretch air defenses, and bring the reality of the war to the Russian population.