UK is sending ambulances and fire engines to help Ukraine hospitals under attack

The Ministry of Defence said ‘poor logistical and combat support’ were continuing to hamper Russia’s advances. Tonight, it was announced the UK is boosting humanitarian support for Ukrainian hospitals

A critical Russian oil depot was destroyed by Ukraine today dealing a hammer blow to crucial supply lines for their frontline troops.

The successful attack came as the Russians targeted five railway stations in western and central Ukraine.

The oil refinery is located in Bryansk 70 miles inside the Russian border and its destruction marked a daring successful raid by Ukraine.

Russian police said the Transneft-Druzhba oil depot exploded at 2am before a second fire broke out at a nearby military facility.

The blasts came as British intelligence said Russia had ‘yet to achieve a significant breakthrough’ of defensive lines in Donbas.

The Ministry of Defence said “poor logistical and combat support” were continuing to hamper Russia’s advances.

And it was revealed that the UK is sending another 22 fully equipped ambulances and 40 fire engines to Ukraine to help with the war effort.

In a separate emotional outburst Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the west and Ukraine of using a “terrorist group” to try and assassinate TV host Vladimir Solovyev.

He said: “They have moved to terror – to preparing the murder of our journalists.”

There were more distressing stories emerging from refugees escaping Mariupol.

They described the trauma of being held in cramped, unclean, processing camps before being evacuated.

One couple – Oleksandr and Olena – described how they ended up at a centre when they tried to escape the city.

After walking two miles from their home to an evacuation point, they were driven to a Russian refugee hub at a former school.

Oleksandr said: “It was like a true concentration camp.”

“You can’t imagine how horrible the conditions were,” said Olena.

“Elderly people slept in corridors without mattresses or blankets. “There was only one toilet and one sink for thousands of people.”

Dysentery soon began to spread.

Ukrainian Railways said five train stations were attacked in a one hour period resulting in five deaths and 18 people being injured.

Stations have now become a key target for Russian forces in Ukraine.

Rail lines are crucial for both bringing in supplies and evacuating civilians to bordering countries, such as Poland.

Spokesman Vitalii Koval said: “The enemy launched two missile strikes on the railway infrastructure.

“The damage is being established, there are no casualties. We strongly recommend that you be in shelters during air alerts.”

Meanwhile Britain announced more help for Ukraine.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We have all been appalled by the abhorrent images of hospitals deliberately targeted by Russia since the invasion began over two months ago.

“The new ambulances, fire engines and funding for health experts will better equip the Ukrainian people to deliver vital health care and save lives.

“Together with our military support, we will help to strengthen Ukraine’s capability to make sure Putin’s brutal invasion fails.”

Britain will also send armoured vehicles equipped with anti-aircraft rocket launchers to Ukraine.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed deadly Stormer trucks are on their way to the country as he warned Vladimir Putin “must not be allowed to prevail”.

Mr Wallace also told Parliament 15,000 Russian troops have been killed in the war, according to Britain’s latest estimates.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked the US for its “unprecedented” support.