Ukraine strikes Russian energy targets amid nuclear plant dispute

Ukraine launched fresh strikes on Russian energy infrastructure overnight into Sunday, with drone attacks setting fires at fuel storage and oil refineries while Kyiv denied Moscow's claims that a Ukrainian drone hit a key nuclear facility.

Drone debris ignited a fuel storage facility in Russia's southwestern Rostov region, Governor Yuriy Slyusar reported Sunday, with residents of nearby homes evacuated. Drones also damaged civilian infrastructure in Saratov province. An independent Russian news channel reported a major fire at an oil refinery in the regional capital, Saratov.

Ukraine's General Staff confirmed Ukrainian drones struck the Saratov oil refinery, causing a "large-scale fire." The refinery, operated by Russia's state Rosneft company, produces diesel and gasoline that supplies Moscow's war effort. Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian oil and gas facilities in recent months, arguing they both fund and directly fuel the invasion.

Meanwhile, Russia's Rosatom claimed a Ukrainian drone struck the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe's largest, tearing a hole in a turbine hall wall. CEO Alexei Likhachev called it a "deliberate" attack.

Ukraine's military denied the allegation, calling it "yet another propaganda ploy." The military said it adheres to international humanitarian law and is aware of consequences of targeting nuclear facilities. "Along the relevant section of the front line, there was no active fighting at the time of the incident, and no weapons were used," it said.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, voiced "serious concern" over the incident. Ukraine's nuclear supervisory agency said damage claims must be verified by IAEA experts present at the plant.