Russia calls up reservists to defend against Ukrainian drone raids
Photo: Russian army air defense battery (Getty Images)
Russia is forced to form new military units to protect its strategic oil ports from drone attacks. The authorities of the Leningrad region have announced an urgent recruitment of reservists to defend the terminals of Ust-Luga and Primorsk, reports the British newspaper The Independent.
Governor Alexander Drozdenko confirmed that new units will be deployed on the territory of enterprises and critical infrastructure. He avoids mentioning Ukraine, but stated that at a meeting of federal and law enforcement agencies, it was decided that the defense of the skies over the Leningrad region from drone attacks must be strengthened.
The number of Ukrainian attacks on Russian infrastructure has doubled. In March, 11,211 Ukrainian drones were intercepted, according to Russian propagandists. In February, this figure was significantly lower.
Reservists are offered contracts ranging from two months to several years, and their main task will be the detection and destruction of aerial targets above the ports. However, any contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense is automatically extended until the end of the so-called partial mobilization, which Putin has never canceled.
Threats to Europe and Medvedev's "target list"
The Independent notes that the Russian Ministry of Defense has published a list of European factories that allegedly produce drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The list includes facilities in Britain, Germany, Poland, and several other countries.
Dmitry Medvedev, former president of Russia, has already issued threats on X. He called these enterprises potential targets.
Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, also did not rule out strikes on Europe. He only noted that these countries are becoming direct participants in the conflict.
"These countries are becoming increasingly directly involved in the conflict, in the war surrounding Ukraine," Peskov said.
What is known about the strikes by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Russia
Recently, the Defense Forces damaged two Russian oil depots in Crimea. At the oil depot in Oktiabrske, at least one tank was damaged. Damage is also visible on the tanks of the oil depot near Hlybokyi Yar, where at least five tanks of various sizes were hit.
Ukrainian drones also struck the Russian chemical enterprise PhosAgro in Cherepovets. The plant's products serve as raw material for the production of TNT, hexogen, and other components used in the manufacture of ammunition for the Russian units.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin complained about NATO countries allegedly providing their airspace for Ukrainian drones attacking the Leningrad region. According to Nikolai Patrushev, former FSB director and current Putin aide, Ukrainian drones fly through the territory of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland.
