Russian Strikes Kill 10 as Volodymyr Zelensky Says Ukraine Hit Oil Tankers and Naval Targets

Russian Attacks Leave Dead and Injured Across Ukraine

At least 10 people have been killed and more than 70 injured following a wave of Russian drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials. Fatalities were reported in multiple regions, including Kherson, Odesa, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy, as Russia continues its large-scale aerial campaign against Ukrainian cities. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 269 drones overnight, with most intercepted, though several strikes and falling debris still caused damage in at least 15 locations.

Ukraine Claims Strikes on Russian Oil and Naval Assets

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian forces carried out successful counterattacks on Russian infrastructure.
According to Zelensky:

• Three Russian oil tankers were targeted
• A cruise-missile carrier warship was struck
• A patrol boat was also hit

He stated that some of the tankers were part of Russia’s “shadow fleet”, used to bypass Western sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion.

Ports and Oil Terminals Targeted

Ukrainian strikes reportedly hit key Russian ports, including:

• Primorsk on the Baltic Sea
• Novorossiysk

Zelensky said infrastructure at the Primorsk oil terminal suffered significant damage, while two additional oil tankers were hit near Novorossiysk. “These tankers were actively used for transporting oil. Now they will not be,” he said in a statement.

Russia Reports Drone Attacks on Its Territory

Russia’s military claimed that Ukraine launched over 300 drones, with heavy targeting reported in the north-western Leningrad Region. Recent Ukrainian strikes have focused on Russian oil infrastructure, which Kyiv says has resulted in billions of dollars in export losses.

Escalation of Long-Range Drone Warfare

Ukraine has increasingly used long-range drones to strike deep inside Russian territory, expanding the battlefield beyond front-line areas. Kyiv maintains that it is targeting legitimate military and economic assets, while accusing Russia of continuing attacks on civilian areas.

Security Concerns Inside Russia

The growing reach of Ukrainian drone attacks has raised concerns within Russia. The Kremlin recently announced it would scale back its annual Victory Day parade on May 9, citing security risks and what it described as a “terrorist threat.”

Ongoing Conflict Intensifies

The war between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, with both sides increasing drone and missile operations. While Russia intensifies strikes on Ukrainian cities, Ukraine is expanding its campaign against Russian infrastructure, particularly oil and naval assets.