In a provocative move, a Ukrainian drone has launched an attack on an oil storage depot in western Russia, resulting in a massive blaze. The attack comes as Ukraine escalates its offensive on Russian soil, with the conflict nearing its second anniversary.

According to officials, the drone struck the depot in Klintsy, a city located about 60 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. As a result, four oil reservoirs with a combined capacity of 6,000 cubic meters were set ablaze. The striking of the oil facility appears to be a calculated effort by Ukraine to disrupt daily life in Russia and challenge President Vladimir Putin's claims of normalcy in the country leading up to the presidential election on March 17th.

Unlike previous drone strikes, which lacked clear military objectives and caused little damage, this attack highlights the increasing sophistication of Ukrainian drone capabilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed to target more locations within Russian border regions this year. As Russian air defenses primarily concentrate around occupied regions of Ukraine, Ukrainian forces have developed longer-range drones that can target more vulnerable areas within Russia.

The attack on the oil depot has already sparked concerns in neighboring Russian cities. Several locations, including Belgorod, near the Ukrainian border, have canceled Orthodox Epiphany festivities out of fear of further drone strikes. This marks the first time major public events have been called off in Russia due to the drone threat.

In related incidents, reports indicate that Ukrainian drones also targeted a gunpowder mill in Tambov, approximately 600 kilometers south of Moscow. However, the mill's governor has denied any damage, stating that operations at the facility continue as normal.

Additionally, a Ukrainian drone was reportedly downed on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city. The wreckage fell on the premises of the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal, raising concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.

Fortunately, there were no casualties reported in the attack on the oil depot in Klintsy. However, the fire proves challenging to extinguish and requires specialized equipment. As a precautionary measure, 32 people residing near the depot were evacuated from their homes.

This is not the first time the Klintsy depot has been targeted by Ukrainian drones. Last year, a similar attack occurred, but the damage inflicted was reportedly less significant.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, Russian shelling has resulted in the death of a 57-year-old woman. Additionally, a landmine in the same region claimed the life of a man. These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing violence in the area.

As tensions continue to escalate between Ukraine and Russia, concerns persist over the potential for further drone attacks and the devastating consequences they could have on critical infrastructure and civilian lives.