Janice R. Andrews
In a strategic effort to hinder Russian military operations, Ukrainian long-range drones launched strikes on a major oil refinery and gas processing plant in southeastern Russia overnight. The attacks, confirmed by a senior Kyiv official, are part of Ukraine’s ongoing campaign to slow Russian advances as the war nears its third year.
The strikes targeted a key oil refinery in the Volgograd region—one of Russia’s largest refining facilities—and a gas plant in the nearby Astrakhan region. A Ukrainian security service official, speaking on condition of anonymity, provided details of the operation.
Russia’s military reported that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 70 Ukrainian drones overnight. The attacks focused on the Volgograd and Astrakhan regions, as well as border areas such as Belgorod, Kursk, and Voronezh. Russian authorities acknowledged only a minor fire at the Volgograd refinery, though these claims could not be independently verified.
Following the attack, Astrakhan Governor Igor Babushkin visited the gas plant, stating that operations had been suspended preemptively, and employees were moved to safety. The facility, a crucial supplier of sulphur for explosives, reportedly suffered minimal damage, with the fire quickly brought under control.
The Volgograd refinery, which processes 6% of Russia’s oil, was hit for the second time in three days, underscoring Ukraine’s increasing drone capabilities. Despite heavy reliance on Western military aid, Kyiv has been advancing its domestic arms industry, particularly in developing long-range drones capable of carrying larger payloads.
These strikes come as Russian forces ramp up efforts to capture more territory, especially in eastern Ukraine, ahead of potential peace negotiations. With the conflict showing no signs of ending, Ukraine’s drone attacks on critical infrastructure signal a strategic shift in its defense tactics.
As tensions escalate, the international community remains vigilant, with the war’s trajectory depending heavily on military innovation and geopolitical developments.
