Ukrainian drones spark fire at Russian oil depot after Geneva talks stall

Thursday 19 - 13:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Ukrainian drones spark fire at Russian oil depot after Geneva talks stall

Russian air defenses intercepted 113 Ukrainian drones overnight from February 18 to 19, the Defense Ministry said Thursday, describing one of the largest waves of drone attacks on Russian territory in recent weeks. The barrage came hours after U.S.-mediated peace talks in Geneva ended without a breakthrough.

According to the ministry, the heaviest drone activity targeted western border regions. At least 50 drones were shot down over the Bryansk region, 35 over Smolensk, 12 over Tver, 10 over Novgorod, four over Leningrad and two over Kaluga.

Despite the interceptions, a significant strike hit an oil storage facility in Velikiye Luki in the Pskov region, about 500 kilometers from Moscow. Regional governor Mikhail Vedernikov said a fuel tank caught fire following the drone attack but reported no casualties.

The incident drew attention because the facility had visible anti-drone defenses. The monitoring group OSINT Astra reported that protective netting had been installed above storage tanks at the site, yet several drones managed to bypass those barriers. Local residents said at least four drones struck their intended targets.

The facility is believed to be the Velikolukskaya military oil depot, considered strategically important due to its proximity to a major railway junction. Preliminary reports indicate the depot belongs to Surgutneftegaz, an energy company controlled by billionaire Vladimir Bogdanov.

In the Bryansk region, Governor Alexander Bogomaz said two civilians were injured and hospitalized during the attacks. Five private homes and two vehicles were damaged, and a bathhouse was completely destroyed.

The overnight strikes followed the abrupt conclusion of peace negotiations hosted by the United States in Geneva. The second day of talks reportedly lasted just two hours before ending without progress, according to Reuters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of deliberately delaying the diplomatic process. Writing on X after the talks, he said Russia was attempting to prolong negotiations that could have already reached a final stage. Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, stated only that further discussions would take place soon, without providing a timeline.

Kyiv has stepped up long-range drone attacks against Russian refineries, fuel storage sites and industrial facilities as part of a strategy to disrupt fuel supplies for Russian forces and reduce Moscow’s wartime revenues. The International Energy Agency has estimated that Ukrainian drone strikes are likely to depress Russian refinery throughput rates at least until mid-2026.

On the same night as the Velikiye Luki strike, Russian media channels reported that drones also hit the Metafrax chemical plant in the Perm region, roughly 1,600 kilometers from Ukrainian-controlled territory. The plant produces chemical components used in explosives and is subject to international sanctions.