Russian Drones Strike Azerbaijani Oil Depot in Ukraine Again

In a marked escalation of regional tensions, Russian drones launched a deliberate attack on an Azerbaijani oil depot in Ukraine's southern Odesa region, as reported by Ukrainian officials this Monday. The SOCAR-owned facility became a target for the second time in a fortnight.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy took to social media platform X to condemn the 'deliberate Russian strike,' highlighting its impact on both national relations and energy security. His sentiment was echoed by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who demanded a 'diplomatic and legal response' from Baku due to actions perceived against Azerbaijan's interests.

While SOCAR and Azerbaijani officials have remained tight-lipped, Ukraine's energy minister confirmed ongoing rescue operations, noting the difficulty in assessing the full extent of the damage. This attack follows a similar drone strike on August 8 that injured four individuals and underscores frequent Russian assaults on Ukraine's infrastructure.