Extraordinary footage shows the moment a convoy of Russian fuel tankers burst into flames after being hit by Ukrainian drones en route to Crimea.
The commander of Ukraine’s unmanned systems forces, Robert “Magyar” Brovdi, shared footage on social media of the moment two tankers were struck by drones. Three red tankers could be seen in a convoy down the empty stretch of road with with a number of vehicles in between them.
Ukrainian forces were able to shoot down two of the three tankers, which could be seen going up in flames with plumes of smoke as they flew off-road.
Mr Brovdi wrote on Telegram: “Crimea is having a hard time getting gasoline, – one out of three…”
Russia has been in the midst of a summer fuel crisis after months of Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries across the country and attempts to choke the supply of fuel for motorists. Fuel rationing has been introduced in a number of regions with queues snaking around roads that last for hours, according to the Associated Press.
Vladimir Putin made a rare admission at the end of June that fuel shortages were severe as the result of Ukrainian attacks.
“You’re well aware that problems persist for both motorists and businesses,” he told a meeting. “Unfortunately, there are still queues at petrol stations, and finding the right grade of petrol isn’t always easy.”
He insisted the shortages are “not critical” and “temporary.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky has said this is part of a “long-range sanctions” tactic against Russian facilities that “serve the war effort and finance the aggression.”
He said on Sunday: “Last night, in Russia’s Saratov, more than 600 km from the front line, two strategic facilities were hit: the Saratov Oil Refinery and the Engels military air base.
“In the Kaluga region, the tank farm of the Lyudinovskaya oil depot was hit. In the Bryansk region, our warriors also carried out a precise strike on a site used to store, prepare, and launch attack drones.
“Thank you to all the warriors of Ukraine’s Defense Forces who are expanding our long-range capabilities and delivering precise results. We are bringing the war back to where it came from.”