On the 1516th day of war, the Ukrainians struck deep into Russia again. The attack on a military drone factory in Taganrog and a port on the Sea of Azov confirms the extension of the operational range.
On the other side, Russia continues to target critical Ukrainian infrastructure, including railway transport, as well as residential areas. The attack in Chernihiv, resulting in the death of a teenager, once again illustrates the high civilian cost of these strikes.
At the same time, Ukraine is trying to strengthen its defense: intercepting a Shahed drone from an unmanned naval platform marks a significant technological advancement.
On the front line, the Russians are adapting their tactics – they have resorted to using motorcycles for rapid assaults, but Ukraine claims to have repelled such attacks in Zaporizhia.
Strategically, Zelensky draws attention to a major risk: relaxing sanctions on Russian oil could directly fuel the war effort.
– Day 1515. Ukraine hits an oil depot and a refinery in Russia. They also destroyed a missile launcher. Russian soldiers kept without water and food.
### Ukrainian Strikes
– **Drone attack on a port in Russia** – Ukrainian drones hit a port in the city of Yeisk on the night of April 19, according to Russian channels and the independent publication Astra. Online images show smoke rising from the port area. Russian authorities claim that drone debris fell „near the port,” shattering the windows of three residences. Yeisk is located on the coast of the Sea of Azov, about 270 km from Zaporizhia. Recently, a similar attack on the Tuapse refinery allegedly destroyed several tanks.
– **Ukraine hits the drone factory in Taganrog** – The Ukrainian General Staff confirms an attack on the Atlant-Aero plant in Taganrog, southern Russia, where attack and reconnaissance drones are produced. A fire broke out after the strike. The factory produces Molniya drones and components for Orion drones, capable of carrying up to 250 kg of payload, including guided bombs. Russian authorities only mentioned damage to „commercial infrastructure” and three injured persons, without confirming the military target.
### Russian Attacks
– **Russian attack on the railway in Poltava** – Russia has drone-attacked the railway infrastructure in the Poltava region, as announced by the local administration. A railway facility was hit. No casualties were reported. Authorities are monitoring the impact on train traffic.
– **Strike in Chernihiv: one teenager killed** – A drone attack in Chernihiv resulted in the death of a 16-year-old and the injury of four people, according to local authorities. In total, seven residences and two public buildings were damaged.
### Other Relevant Information
– **Zelensky: Relaxed sanctions finance the war** – President Volodymyr Zelensky criticizes the relaxation of sanctions on Russian oil, warning that it provides Moscow with resources for new attacks. He says that over 110 tankers from the „shadow fleet” are transporting over 12 million tons of oil, valued at around $10 billion. „Every dollar for Russian oil is money for war,” conveyed the Ukrainian leader. Meanwhile, Russia has launched over 2,360 drones, 1,320 guided bombs, and nearly 60 missiles in a week.