Ukraine has entered a new stage of strikes on Russia's deep rear – ISW

The latest drone attack on an oil refinery in the Republic of Tatarstan indicates a turnaround in Ukraine's strategy of striking targets in the deep rear of the Russian Federation.

This is stated by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its latest report.

The report recalled that on April 2, Ukrainian drones attacked the facilities of the Taneco oil refinery in the city of Yelabuga, Republic of Tatarstan. The ISW drew attention to the fact that this enterprise is located more than 1,200 kilometers from the border of Ukraine with the Russian Federation.

According to Reuters, similar regular strikes by Ukrainian drones on Russian refineries have led to the shutdown of about 14% of all Russian refining capacities.

"The April 2 strikes are the first Ukrainian strikes on Tatarstan, and the distance of the targets from Ukraine’s borders represents a significant inflection in Ukraine’s demonstrated capability to conduct long-range strikes far into the Russian rear. ISW continues to assess that such Ukrainian strikes are a necessary component of Ukraine’s campaign to use asymmetric means to degrade industries that supply and support the Russian military," the report says.

As a reminder, on April 2, Ukrainian drones attacked enterprises in the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation for the first time. The drones hit the Taneco oil refinery in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone near the city of Yelabuga. This is more than 1000 kilometers from the border with Ukraine.

It was reported by media that it was an operation of the Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate. In addition to the refinery, the drones also hit the Shahed assembly plant.

Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 03/04/2024