Key facts
- Ukraine targeted Iranian cargo ships in the Caspian Sea.
- Ukraine claims the ships were used to transport military goods to Russia.
- Iran and Russia reacted angrily to the targeting of the ships.
- Iran vowed retaliation for the Caspian Sea incident.
- Experts doubt Iran's ability to respond militarily.
- Ukraine's Security Service claimed responsibility for a drone attack on the Lukoil Volgograd refinery.
- The drone attack caused a fire at the refinery.
- The attack on the refinery marks a resumption of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian energy facilities.
- The strikes could worsen Russia's fuel shortages.
Ukraine has escalated its conflict with Russia by targeting Iranian cargo ships in the Caspian Sea. Kyiv claims these vessels were utilized to transport military goods to Russia, a development that has elicited strong reactions from both Iran and Russia. Tehran has vowed retaliation for the actions, although experts express skepticism regarding Iran's capacity for a significant military response. This marks a new phase in Ukraine's efforts to disrupt Russian supply lines and military capabilities.