Large-scale UAV and missile attacks on Russian military-industrial and fuel facilities in Saratov, Kazan, Bryansk, Tula and many other regions.
According to Ukrainian media, on the night of January 14, the Ukrainian army launched the largest and most extensive attack on Russian territory, with the main targets being defense and fuel industrial facilities. This attack is considered the largest-scale operation ever conducted by Ukraine, targeting 12 Russian regions, including Saratov, Engels, Kazan, Bryansk and Tula.
The Ukrainian offensive not only used unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) but also involved long-range missiles. According to military sources, Ukraine launched more than 200 UAVs in this campaign.
The main targets included Russian weapons component factories, oil refineries and ammunition depots. The head of Ukraine's Countering Disinformation Center, Andrii Kovalenko, said that Russian air defense systems were unable to effectively protect these strategic facilities. Mr. Kovalenko stressed that without these facilities, the Russian military would have difficulty maintaining combat operations.
Consequences in the attacked areas
In Saratov, a major fire broke out at the Saratnefteprodukt oil refinery following the attack. Local news channels reported that the Kristall oil depot in Engels was also targeted and there were multiple explosions. The governor of the Saratov region confirmed that two industrial enterprises were damaged in the attack.
In Kazan, a gas tank was set ablaze by a drone attack. Sources said the attack caused at least three gas tanks to catch fire. A Transneft oil pumping station in Almetyevsk was also targeted.
In Bryansk, the Bryansk Chemical Plant, which produces gunpowder and rocket fuel components, was attacked.
The Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces Command confirmed that it had successfully distracted Russian air defense systems to carry out precision strikes on important targets.
In Tula, at least 17 UAVs were detected attacking the area, causing damage to many production facilities.
Ukrainian UAV expert Oleksiy “Bulldozer” said that the use of ACS-3 reconnaissance UAVs in attacks allowed Kiev to carry out precision strikes from the first time.
Mr. Oleksiy stressed that coordination between military units in gathering information and performing tasks is very important for achieving success in this campaign.
In addition, the expert also noted that continuous improvement of the ACS-3 UAV to meet changing needs on the battlefield is necessary to improve combat effectiveness.
Reaction from Russia
The Russian Defense Ministry has issued statements about the successful interception of many missiles and UAVs in the attack. Specifically, according to the TASS news agency (Russia), Russian air defense forces shot down 16 UAVs in Tula, 14 UAVs in Rostov, and many more in Voronezh and Oryol, with no casualties recorded. A UAV attack warning was also issued in Samara.
In terms of damage, the attacks damaged cars and houses in Tula; two businesses in Saratov and Engels; and a fuel tanker caught fire outside Kazan. Businesses in Kazan remained open, and some schools in Engels and Saratov switched to online learning. Russia also imposed flight restrictions at several airports, including Kazan and Saratov.
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