Ukraine launches major strike on Russian energy facilities

An eyewitness captured video footage of large flames and clouds of smoke emerging from what appears to be an industrial area on Tuesday (January 14); he could be heard saying, "Saratov oil refinery after a drone attack".

Reuters was able to confirm the location from the position and shape of the oil refinery pillars, buildings and surrounding trees which matched file and satellite imagery of the area. Reuters was not able to independently verify when the video was filmed. However the audio heard in the video translates as “Saratov oil refinery after a drone attack, January 14, 2025".

Ukraine officials said the Russian region was struck with a major drone and missile attack overnight, damaging factories in at least three cities.

Roman Busargin, governor of the Saratov region about 720 km (450 miles) southeast of Moscow said the cities of Saratov and Engels, on opposite banks of the Volga River, had been subjected to a mass drone attack and there was damage to two industrial sites.

President Vladimir Putin said in November that the Ukraine war was escalating towards a global conflict after the United States and Britain allowed Ukraine for the first time to launch their missiles deep inside Russia.Источник видео-:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZVwNgTb_ZE