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Ukraine's drone strikes hit Russian refineries
Summary
A look back at a day of long-range strikes in southwestern Russia, fresh US aid pledges and Russian claims on the front line.
What did Ukraine's long-range drone campaign look like on 17 May 2024? It reached across southwestern Russia, where a massive attack caused fires at several oil refineries, including at the port of Novorossiysk.
The strikes came as Kyiv faced pressure on the ground. On 15 May 2024, Russia said its forces had captured the village of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, along with several more villages in Kharkiv Oblast. Ukraine confirmed it had pulled its troops back from Vovchansk, saying the move was meant to preserve the lives of its servicemen and avoid losses.
Support from Washington was also in view. On 16 May 2024, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a $2 billion military aid package for Ukraine. The package was aimed at investing in Ukraine's industrial base.
Three fronts, one picture
Taken together, the reports from 15 to 17 May 2024 showed a war fought in several ways at once: ground fighting in Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv oblasts, Western funding directed at Ukrainian industry, and drone attacks on energy facilities inside Russia. The refinery fires around Novorossiysk were the most visible result of the strikes on 17 May 2024.
