Vladimir Putin’s supporters wished him happy birthday on Monday as the Russian leader turned 72, but Ukraine had planned a present of their own.
In the early hours of Monday, Kyiv’s forces launched a massive drone attack on an oil depot in Feodosia, according to a confirmation from Ukraine’s General Staff, with pictures showing pillars of thick black smoke rising in the Annexed Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine’s forces said the Marine Oil Terminal, Crimea’s largest petroleum transhipment hub, had been attacked following previous assaults by its growing swarms of drones.
Ukraine’s General Staff said: “Ukrainian missile units, working with other defense forces, carried out the operation as part of ongoing efforts to weaken Russia’s military and economic infrastructure,” as per the Kyiv Post.
Among those toasting the despot on Monday was ultra-nationalist Alexander Dugin who put out a message on his Telegram channel minutes just after midnight, Euroactiv reports.
Dugin, 62, an idealogue thought to have a strong influence on Putin’s world view, and has been a long-time advocate for “unifying” Russian-speaking and other territories.
Meanwhile Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov wrote: “Today, friends, is the birthday of our national leader” as he congratulated Putin within minutes of the day beginning.
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