Russian Military Cadets Reportedly Tasked With Guarding Oil Infrastructure as Drone Attacks Escalate

The ATESH movement said its sources among cadets at the Penza Artillery Institute report that students are being assigned to mobile units responsible for protecting energy sites across Russia. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied A Russian missile S-400 Triumf system vehicle moves along the Garden Ring road in front of a huge Z letter, a tactical insignia of Russian troops in Ukraine, towards Red Square for a rehearsal of the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 4, 2023. Russia will celebrate the 78th anniversary of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany on May 9. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Cadets at Russian military academies are reportedly being prepared for deployment in mobile units tasked with defending oil depots and fuel infrastructure, as Ukraine’s long-range strikes continue to pressure Russia’s energy sector, according to the “ ATESH ” guerrilla movement. The group said its sources among cadets at the Penza Artillery Institute report that students are being assigned to mobile units responsible for protecting key energy sites across Russia. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . It said Russian commanders are increasingly using trainees to fill gaps in air defense and infrastructure protection, as existing systems struggle to stop repeated drone attacks. Kyiv Post wasn’t able to verify this information independently. ATESH said it has created a “Cadet Corps” network to communicate with cadets from different Russian military schools, claiming it receives information from within the system about military plans and deployments. The reports come as Ukraine continues to target Russian oil and energy facilities with long-range strikes. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 1 that Ukraine’s strikes have caused at least $7 billion in losses to Russia’s oil sector since the start of the year. He said the attacks reached a “new level” in April, hitting deeper targets and causing more disruption to Russia’s energy system, including delays and reduced output. Other Topics of Interest Russian Oil Price Surges to Highest Since 2014 as Kremlin Reaps Iran War Windfall Russia’s income boost comes despite disruptions to its exports in April, with Ukrainian drone attacks forcing temporary closures at key ports and refineries. Zelensky said Ukraine’s military, security service, and intelligence agencies are carrying out the strikes and that the country plans to expand its long-range capabilities further. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.