Editor’s note: This story is developing and being updated.
The Ukrainian military reportedly attacked the Russian city of Belgorod on the night of July 3, hitting an energy equipment plant, Russian media Telegram reported.
Photo and video published on social networks are intended to show the flames emanating from the Belgorod plant Energomash, a key producer in the energy supply chain in Russia. The plant reportedly produces, among other things, equipment for Russia’s power plants as well as its oil and gas sector.
The extent of the damage was not immediately clear as smoke billowed across the city after the attack was reported.
The Kyiv Independent newspaper could not immediately verify the reports. The Ukrainian military has not yet commented on the report of the strike.
While it was not immediately clear what weapons were used in the reported attack, Kyiv relied heavily on domestically produced drones to strike Russian infrastructure.
Over the past few months, Ukraine has stepped up attacks on energy facilities in the occupied territory. Crimea, as well as other occupied territories, as Kyiv seeks to isolate the peninsula from the mainland Russia and cut off critical military supply routes.
Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces (USN) said During a 48-hour operation on July 1-2, it hit 12 electrical substations and one gas distribution station in Russian-occupied territories.
The city of Belgorod was often the target of Ukrainian attacks, given its proximity to the front line. The city is located approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) from the Ukrainian city of Kharkov.
The reported attack comes as Kyiv continues to escalate its campaign against Russian oil and gas infrastructure, a key source of Moscow’s revenue that helps fuel it total invasion Ukraine.
Amid the strikes, Russia also faces growing fuel shortages, exacerbated by Ukrainian drones attack at oil refineries. The vast majority of Russian regions have introduced restrictions on fuel sales, and many Russians on social media report hours-long waits at gas stations.