Huge tanks of sunflower oil ignite after Russian drone strike at Ukraine terminal.
By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Image by Bruno /Germany from Pixabay
On Sunday night, three Russian “kamikaze” drones were flown into and ignited huge tanks of sunflower oil at a terminal in the Ukrainian city of Myklovia.
Although Ukraine ports had halted shipment at the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022, the beleaguered country was trying to reopen its ports to accommodate food shipments in a deal devised by Turkey and the United Nations.
Oleksandr Senkevich, Mayor of Mykloaiv said: "In Mykolaiv, three drones hit an object of industrial infrastructure, where tanks with sunflower oil were ignited."
This drone attack on the port area was hours prior to another drone attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv where four people were killed. Although not confirmed, it is believed these drones are made by Iran. Russia’s use of these “kamikaze” drones allows it to penetrate deep into Ukraine areas.
These so-called “kamikaze” drones are thought to be Iran’s Shahed series drones after US intelligence noted it being shown to Russia officials at the Kashan Airfield south of Tehran, Iran, in June of 2022.
Each of the Shahed “kamikaze” drones are designed to carry precision-guided missiles, with an estimated 50 kilogram (110 lb) payload.
Mykolaiv, located near the Russian-occupied Kherson region, has been under constant shelling in recent months. Port terminals have already been hit at least twice - in June and August.
Sunday night’s attacks are the latest barrage from Russia after it used missiles last week targeting civilian buildings throughout the country.
Russia has been deploying drones as a military asset since its invasion of Ukraine, but its usage has increased since the summer, when it is believed it acquired more drones from Iran.
The attack on the port is part of the Russia strategy to cut off supplies coming into Ukraine, shipments leaving the country to prevent any sort of economic boost, and to further demoralize citizens.