Russia on Monday accused Ukraine of targeting an oil pumping station in the country鈥檚 southern Krasnodar region during an overnight drone attack.
A statement by the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Ukraine targeted the Kropotkinskaya pumping station at about 2 a.m. local time (2300GMT) using a drone, but the drone was intercepted 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from the facility.
It said that fragments from the intercepted drone fell in the area near the Kavkazskaya railway station, part of the country鈥檚 North Caucasus railway network.
The statement said that Ukraine previously targeted the facility in February, resulting in it being taken out of service for repair and restoration work, adding that Kyiv also targeted a facility near the village of Kavkazskaya last week.
鈥淭hus, contrary to (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy's statements, including those conveyed to the American side, the Kyiv regime continues to deliberately plan, prepare and carry out attacks on energy infrastructure, including international, on the territory of the Russian Federation,鈥� the statement added.
The claim comes as both Russia and Ukraine agreed to a temporary halt on strikes against each other's energy infrastructure on Tuesday, though both sides have been reporting continued strikes since, despite the US鈥� diplomatic push to establish a peace deal.
Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on Russia鈥檚 claims.
By Burc Eruygur
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr