In a determined effort to cut off the financial resources fueling the invasion, Ukraine strikes Russian oil platforms located in the Caspian Sea. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed that the V. Filanovsky, Yuri Korchagin, and Valery Grayfe platforms were hit during a night operation. These platforms are key assets for Lukoil and the wider Russian energy sector. By striking them, Ukraine is escalating its attacks on critical energy infrastructure, aiming to reduce the petrodollars that Moscow uses to finance its military operations. This move signifies a broadening of the battlefield to include essential economic zones far removed from the terrestrial front lines.
The platforms in question are not new targets; they have been in Ukraine’s sights for some time, having been targeted multiple times throughout December. The cumulative effect of these attacks is currently being assessed, but the confirmation of direct hits implies that the strikes were successful in penetrating defenses. Lukoil has yet to comment, but the disruption to operations could be significant. This fits into a larger pattern of Ukraine targeting refineries, sea terminals, and “shadow fleet” tankers, systematically dismantling the infrastructure that supports Russia’s primary export.
On the military front, Ukrainian forces achieved a significant tactical success in the Luhansk region by destroying a Buk-M3 medium-range air defense system. This system is crucial for the protection of Russian assets in occupied territories. Its destruction, marked by multiple hits and subsequent explosions, weakens the Russian air defense grid and exposes other targets to attack. Additionally, a logistical hub in the Kherson region was struck, damaging a warehouse used for material and technical support. Disrupting these supply lines is essential for stalling Russian advances and reducing their combat effectiveness.
Conversely, Russia continues its relentless assault on Ukraine’s energy grid. Power plants and electrical infrastructure across Ukraine have been targeted, leading to widespread outages and leaving civilians without power and heat during the winter months. This reciprocal destruction of energy assets highlights the total nature of the war, where infrastructure is viewed as a legitimate target by both sides in an effort to break the enemy’s resilience and economic viability.
The war’s impact on Russian civilians was highlighted by a drone attack on Voronezh. Governor Alexander Gusev reported that 17 UAVs were neutralized in one of the largest attacks on the city to date. However, the defense was not perfect, and the strike resulted in one fatality and four injuries. These deep strikes into Russian territory serve a dual purpose: they degrade military and dual-use infrastructure, and they bring the reality of the war home to the Russian population, potentially influencing domestic opinion over time.