Ukraine Relentlessly Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure for Second Consecutive Day

Ukraine struck Russian energy facilities for the second straight day, hitting an oil refinery in Ryazan overnight after Friday's major attack on Russia's Novorossiysk port temporarily halted oil exports worth 2.2 million barrels daily. Meanwhile, Russia launched one of its biggest attacks on Kyiv, killing at least six people and leaving the capital without power as both sides target critical infrastructure.

Russian authorities confirmed the Ryazan refinery suspended operations after the Ukrainian drone attack. The previous day's strike on Novorossiysk port, which handles about 2% of global oil supplies, marks one of the largest attacks on Russian oil export infrastructure in recent months.

These attacks are part of Ukraine's intensified campaign against Russian refineries since August. Kyiv is trying to weaken Moscow's ability to fund the war by targeting energy facilities that generate crucial revenue for Russia's war machine.

But Russia hit back hard. Moscow launched 430 drones and 19 missiles across Ukraine, with Kyiv as the main target. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 405 drones and 14 missiles, but the remaining strikes caused significant damage.

The attack killed six people in a single residential building in Kyiv and injured 36 others. About 30 buildings suffered damage across the capital, and the city lost power. Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko said this was one of the worst attacks on the capital in terms of the number of missiles Russia used.

Russian strikes damaged residential buildings throughout Kyiv, hitting high-rise apartments in every district. The attack also damaged Azerbaijan's embassy in Kyiv, prompting Baku to summon Russia's ambassador in protest. A missile hit embassy grounds, destroying part of the perimeter and damaging buildings and vehicles in the diplomatic compound.

Russia has ramped up attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, power grid, gas facilities, and railways in recent weeks as winter approaches. Moscow continues its 2022 invasion and keeps advancing in eastern Ukraine, particularly in Donetsk region where most recent fighting has concentrated.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Putin is trying to make winter as harsh as possible for Ukraine, hoping to destroy morale and break Ukrainian resistance. But he added that Putin isn't succeeding in that goal.

The escalating infrastructure attacks from both sides show how the conflict increasingly targets economic and civilian facilities. Ukraine aims to cut Russia's war funding by hitting oil exports, while Russia tries to break Ukrainian resolve by targeting power and heating systems as temperatures drop.