Russia reports UAV strikes in three regions: Ukrainian forces target oil facility near Rostov

This information was provided by the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

"On the night of August 18, the Kavkaz plant in Russia’s Rostov region was attacked. This site stored oil and petroleum products, some of which were supplied for the occupying Russian army," the report stated.

The report noted that at least two fires were recorded at the plant. The extent of the damage is still being assessed.

The General Staff emphasized that the operation was carried out by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense, in collaboration with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and other components of Ukraine's Defense Forces.

"Efforts to undermine the military and economic potential of the Russian Federation continue. Expect more..." the General Staff stressed.

Previously, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed that their air defenses had destroyed five alleged Ukrainian UAVs: two over the Belgorod region, one over Kursk, and two more over Rostov.

Simultaneously, Rostov Governor Vasily Golubev claimed that regional forces "repelled an attack by an aircraft-type UAV" in the west of the region that night.

Later, he reported another "repelled" drone attack, this time in southeast Rostov region.

"As a result of debris falling on industrial warehouses in Proletarsk, diesel fuel ignited. Firefighting units were dispatched to extinguish the blaze," the governor said.

Later, he clarified that at 05:35 a.m., firefighting operations in Proletarsk were halted due to a second alleged UAV attack.

A video showing the fire at the oil facility was circulated online. The Russian publication Astra noted that the oil depot had been targeted previously in May.

• Meanwhile, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, followed by a significant eruption of the Shiveluch volcano.