Ukraine’s military launched long-range drone strikes against two major Russian oil refineries on Thursday, continuing its campaign to disrupt Moscow’s energy infrastructure. The attacks targeted the Bashneft-Novoil facility in Bashkortostan and the Slavneft-Yanos refinery in the Yaroslavl region, both located hundreds of miles from the Ukrainian border. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the strikes aim to restrict Russia’s oil revenues and reduce financing available for military operations.
The Slavneft-Yanos facility represents one of Russia’s largest oil refineries, processing approximately 15 million tons of crude oil annually. Located roughly 170 miles northeast of Moscow, the complex produces automotive fuel, jet fuel, and various petroleum products while employing over 3,500 workers. Regional governor Mikhail Evraev reported that debris from the attack damaged storage tanks and ignited fires that emergency services worked to extinguish, though no deaths occurred and only four people sustained injuries.
According to Evraev, the Yaroslavl region experienced its largest-ever drone assault, with air defense systems destroying 93 unmanned aircraft. This latest attack reflects Ukraine’s broader strategy of targeting Russia’s energy sector and critical infrastructure to pressure the Kremlin economically. The strikes represent an escalation in Ukraine’s use of long-range weaponry against distant Russian facilities as the conflict continues.
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