Ihor Volobuyev, a former top manager at Russian energy giant Gazprom, joined the Ukrainian army after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. He now serves as a non-commissioned officer in a drone unit and acts as a public representative of the Russian underground movement ‘Black Spark’, which works together with Ukraine’s military.
The movement, which calls itself a Russian underground, says it has carried out attacks on several Russian oil refineries, including facilities in Ryazan, Yaroslavl, and Omsk. Volobuyev said the group approached Ukraine’s armed forces on its own and, after a vetting process, earned their trust. The exact number of members remains secret, but the movement has grown rapidly since it became known.
Volobuyev stresses that strikes on the oil industry are an effective way to weaken the Kremlin’s financial base. Around 23 percent of Russia’s state budget comes from oil and gas revenues. ‘Black Spark’ sees itself as an independent organization that supports armed resistance against Putin’s regime.
Source: www.bbc.com
