A suspected Ukrainian drone strike hit a pumping station on the massive Druzhba oil pipeline near the Russian-Belarusian border, marking what appears to be a new development in Ukraine's campaign against Russian oil infrastructure.
The attack, which occurred Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, targeted facilities in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, creating a blaze so intense it was detected by NASA's fire-monitoring satellites. The strike was reportedly carried out by Ukraine's 14th Separate Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Regiment.
What makes this attack notable is the reported method - instead of kamikaze-style strikes where drones crash into targets, these aircraft allegedly dropped bombs on the facility. This represents a potential tactical shift in Ukraine's drone warfare capabilities.
Ukraine has been known to operate modified civilian sport planes that can carry 220-pound bombs. Previously, such aircraft were typically used for one-way missions, especially when striking targets deep inside Russia. However, this attack occurred just 25 miles from Ukrainian territory, allowing for potential return flights.
The Druzhba pipeline, one of the world's largest oil conduits, serves as a key piece of infrastructure for Russia's oil exports. This latest strike continues Ukraine's two-year campaign targeting Russian oil facilities, though with apparently new tactical approaches.
The development of bomb-dropping capabilities could indicate an evolution in Ukraine's drone program. If these drones can successfully complete round-trip missions, they could become reusable assets rather than single-use weapons, potentially increasing their effectiveness in future operations.
However, challenges remain, particularly in the complex task of remote landing operations, especially during nighttime conditions. Reports suggest operators may have opted for a "double-tap" approach - dropping bombs before directing the drones to crash into the same target on a second pass.
This attack represents the latest chapter in Ukraine's ongoing efforts to disrupt Russia's oil infrastructure, a strategy aimed at impacting one of Moscow's primary revenue sources.