Atesh says agent destroyed communications tower before Ukrainian strike on Perm refinery

Agents of the Atesh partisan movement claimed responsibility for destroying a communications tower near Perm, Russia, just prior to a Ukrainian strike on the Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez oil refinery on August 21. The tower served as a backup line of communication between the refinery's security team and military units tasked with its protection, according to Atesh.

The sabotage was allegedly carried out by a Russian soldier who had deserted his unit without permission and subsequently reached out to the Atesh group. This soldier reportedly joined resistance activities due to his opposition to Russia's leadership and claims of mistreatment during his military service. The loss of the communications tower hampered data transmission and restricted secure coordination for the refinery's security personnel.

Shortly after, Ukrainian forces launched drone attacks against the refinery, resulting in a fire at the Proton-PM plant in Perm, which produces rocket engines. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on August 21 that Ukrainian forces had targeted an oil refinery in Perm, along with the Marinovka military airfield and other Russian military objectives.

The refinery in Perm is situated over 1,600 kilometers (approximately 994 miles) away from the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian forces also struck the Marinovka military airfield in Volgograd Oblast and several targets in the Black Sea, as confirmed by Zelenskyy. Drones targeted Russia's Perm Krai on the night of August 21, causing a column of smoke to be observed above the Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez refinery.

Temporary flight restrictions were imposed at Perm's Bolshoye Savino Airport, and local residents reported hearing explosions.