Ukraine Claims Strike on Key Russian Fuel Pipeline Near Moscow

Ukrainian military intelligence announced a successful operation targeting the Koltsevoy pipeline near Moscow, a critical fuel supply line for Russian forces. The pipeline, spanning 400 kilometers, transports gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel from refineries in Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod, and Moscow. The operation reportedly destroyed all three fuel lines, delivering a significant blow to Russia's military logistics. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's military intelligence, stated that these strikes have had more impact than international sanctions imposed on Russia.

In eastern Ukraine, intense fighting continues in the city of Pokrovsk. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its forces defeated Ukrainian special units attempting to halt their advance. Russian President Vladimir Putin previously asserted that Russian troops had encircled the city's defenders. However, Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, acknowledged Russian infiltration but emphasized ongoing efforts to repel the forces and maintain control over the city.

Elsewhere, Russian missile and drone attacks targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure. A ballistic missile strike in the Mykolaiv region resulted in one civilian death and 15 injuries, including a child. Another attack sparked a fire at a gas plant in the Poltava region. Ukraine's air force reported shooting down 206 of 223 drones launched by Russia overnight, with 17 drones striking targets across seven regions. These attacks have led to power outages and restrictions, which Ukrainian authorities describe as systematic energy terror.

In response, Russian forces claimed to have intercepted 98 Ukrainian drones, including six near Moscow. A significant power outage occurred in Zhukovsky, a city southeast of Moscow, attributed to an automatic equipment shutdown, though no casualties were reported.