Attack on Slaviansky oil refinery in Russia, claims of drone attack in Transnistria: March 17 highlights

Attack on the Slaviansky oil refinery

The Russian Defense Ministry said that overnight it allegedly shot down 35 Ukrainian drones over eight regions of Russia. Some of them were allegedly flying towards Moscow.

As a result of the attack, an oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai caught fire. The Krasnodar regional police said that one of the plant's employees died of a heart attack. A law enforcement source told hromadske that the Security Service of Ukraine was behind the attack on the refinery.

Election results are being counted in Russia

The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation has announced that incumbent Russian President Vladimir Putin is leading the presidential election, with 87.97% of voters allegedly supporting him. The CEC notes that Putin's so-called result is "a record in the history of modern Russia."

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that there is no legitimacy in this election process. He stated: "These days, the Russian dictator is imitating the next elections. It is clear to everyone in the world that this figure, as has happened so often in history, is simply megalomaniac and is doing everything to rule for life."

"Attack" on a military unit in "Transnistria"

The unrecognized "Transnistria" reported a kamikaze drone attack that struck a military unit in Tiraspol. A fire allegedly broke out there, causing a helicopter to burn down.

At the same time, Moldova stated that no strikes were carried out on this military unit. The Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation called the incident a Russian provocation. This was explained by the Kremlin's desire to inflame the situation in the region.

Attack of Mykolaiv, Kharkiv Oblast

The Russian military attacked Mykolaiv with ballistic missiles. The city has already reported eight wounded and one dead man. An infrastructure facility was attacked. Houses and cars were also damaged.

The Southern Defense Forces noted that the tactics of the Russian troops during the attack on Mykolaiv were identical to the attack on Odesa on March 15.

The villages of Buhayivka and Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast were also attacked by Russian troops, with three people injured. In Sumy Oblast, one person was killed and one wounded.

Hennadiy Moskal has died

Ukrainian politician Hennadiy Moskal has died at the age of 73. This was reportedly preceded by a serious illness. During his lifetime, he worked in law enforcement, headed the Zakarpattya and Luhansk regional state administrations, and was a member of the Verkhovna Rada.

Hennadiy Moskal is an Honored Lawyer of Ukraine and has received numerous awards, including the Order of Merit, III degree, and the Medal for Meritorious Service, III and II degrees.

Russia claims downing of Ukrainian Black Hawk helicopter

The Russian Ministry of Defense, as well as the so-called military authorities, claim that a Ukrainian helicopter was shot down on the border. In particular, the Russian authorities claimed to have shot down a Mi-8 or Black Hawk, which was transferred to the Ukrainian army from the United States.

Ukrainian intelligence denied that it was an American Black Hawk, and called the reports of its downing "fake news."

Other important news

• Employees of a military commissariat in Lviv forced a local volunteer into a minibus. The commissioner responded.
• Children of fallen volunteer defenders will receive increased social assistance.
• Ukraine's economy grew by 3.6% in the first two months of the year.
• The Siberian Battalion announced the seizure of the administration in a village in Belgorod Oblast.
• British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps has canceled his visit to Odesa after Russia learned of the plans.