Key Developments on May 13:
- Ukraine strikes three major Russian energy facilities overnight.
- Russia conducts a mass drone attack on Ukraine with over 800 drones, resulting in at least six deaths.
- Moscow imposes a ban on publishing the damage from Ukrainian drone strikes without official approval.
- A significant fire breaks out at a tourist complex in Moscow.
On the night of May 13, Ukraine targeted the Tamanneftegaz oil terminal, Yaroslavl oil refinery, and Astrakhan gas processing plant in Russia, according to the General Staff.
Images and videos showing damage at these Russian facilities, including smoke plumes, began circulating on Russian social media platforms the following morning. NASA’s fire monitoring system confirmed reports of a fire at the Tamanneftegaz terminal, an essential site for exporting oil and gas through the Black Sea.
The General Staff elaborated that Tamanneftegaz is crucial for transshipping various fuels, while the Yaroslavl oil refinery plays a vital role in supporting military logistics. The Ukrainian strike at the Astrakhan Gas Processing Plant has ignited continued flames, with damage assessments ongoing.
Additionally, a report from Reuters indicated that a previous attack on May 7 had halted production at another Russian oil refinery in Perm, with repairs likely taking weeks. Russian authorities acknowledged multiple overnight attacks but refrained from specifying locations, shifting their focus to celebrating the Black Sea Fleet’s anniversary.
Ukrainian drone campaigns have intensified against Russian oil infrastructure recently, aimed at undermining Moscow’s energy revenue. President Volodymyr Zelensky has referred to these actions humorously on occasion. During mid-April to early May, Ukrainian drones frequently struck targets in Tuapse, leading to severe air quality issues and pollution.
Separately, on May 13, Moscow imposed restrictions preventing the publication of information regarding drone strike impacts without official clearance, enhancing Kremlin efforts to regulate information amidst growing concerns about security. Meanwhile, a large fire reportedly erupted at the Izmailovo Kremlin complex in Moscow, though the cause remains undetermined, and it is not immediately linked to Ukrainian military operations.
