The attack on Zaporizhzhia is not a "response" to Engels, says Alexey Kopytko.

Russian terrorists deliberately killed and injured dozens of civilians in Zaporizhzhia.

This is yet another demonstration of their tactics. Just compare.

Unknown drones struck an oil depot near Engels, approximately 660 km away in a straight line. The target is a facility that supplies fuel to the Russian long-range aviation, which attacks Ukrainian cities with missiles. A surgically precise strike. An entirely legitimate target, hence there is full understanding even in Russia.

The total damage is currently unknown. The facility has 56 fuel tanks, and it has been confirmed that 3 of them were hit. There are another 7 tanks at the airfield itself. Formally, the damage is not dramatic. But this is just one strike. And tanks cannot simply be moved elsewhere or quickly buried in the ground. Even with a significant increase in air defense (which needs to be relocated from somewhere), the risk of destroying the facility remains; it is essentially doomed.

The striking capability of Ukrainian drones and missiles is increasing. The most valuable assets in Russia – hydrocarbons and related infrastructure – are under threat.

Meanwhile, Russia is attacking the most precious thing in Ukraine – its people. This is not a "response" to Engels. This is a cannibalistic practice that has been employed since the first days of the full-scale invasion, aimed at breaking the will to resist.

I am confident that the attack on Zaporizhzhia is linked not to Engels but is timed to the latest "Ramstein" meeting. This has been the case almost always.

The recipe for countering this has long been known to all: targeting Russian airfields (to drastically reduce the effectiveness of guided bombs) and increasing air defense/anti-missile capabilities. Our partners have the resources to address this task very quickly.

If, instead, calls to "stop the loss of life" through concessions from Ukraine begin, this would be a blatant game in Moscow's interests.