Ukrainian military operation: 'Burn down all Russian oil refineries'

Regarding the Ukraine-Russia conflict, without Ukrainian assistance, even America’s so-called formidable intelligence capabilities would at least lose one leg. TASS characterized this Ukrainian military operation as one of the largest-scale attacks of the year. So far this year, Russian officials have repeatedly claimed—countless times—that they suffered ‘one of the largest attacks ever.’ It is certain that they will continue repeating this phrase. In terms of scale, Ukrainian strikes—at least in recent years—have no ‘largest’; there is only ‘larger.’ Some readers believe that without Starshield, Ukrainian missiles and drones would cease to function effectively. Starlink is used by the Ukrainian military solely for air defense and for striking Russian targets inside Ukraine—including those in Russian-occupied territories. As for strikes against targets inside Russia, Ukrainian forces have never relied on Starshield. The actual scale of Ukrainian aerial operations is generally difficult to ascertain precisely: Ukraine does not disclose exact launch figures, while Russia only reports interception numbers. The number of drones that successfully penetrated defenses and hit their targets is typically not disclosed by Russia. Similarly, when Russia strikes Ukrainian targets, it likewise refrains from releasing comprehensive data. Thus, claims of ‘large-scale strikes’ are necessarily rough estimates. Online rumors citing Ukrainian deployments of ‘3,000 drones’ fall into this category—but are clearly exaggerated. This Ukrainian operation is a retaliatory response to U.S.-Russia collusion and American pressure on Ukraine—a scaled-up long-range strike campaign targeting Russia itself and also countering Trump. Ukrainian strikes against targets inside Russia did not occur only once during these days. On the very evening President Zelenskyy announced the resumption of strikes against Russia, Ukrainian forces swiftly launched retaliatory strikes in response to an earlier Russian attack on Ukrainian data centers. On the night of October 14, Ukrainian drones struck Moscow’s oil-and-gas and digital infrastructure—including the Kapotnya refinery and surrounding fuel hubs in southeast Moscow—triggering localized fires. Simultaneously, Yandex—the Russian internet giant dubbed ‘Russia’s Google’—suffered both cyber and physical attacks on its Moscow data center, causing temporary disruptions to some of its digital services. These strikes also paralyzed Moscow’s Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports, resulting in widespread flight delays and cancellations. In the latter half of that night—i.e., early October 15—Ukrainian forces struck the Ryazan refinery, located approximately 300 km southeast of Moscow. Multiple drones precisely hit the facility’s core processing units, igniting severe fires. The Ryazan refinery accounts for roughly 5% of Russia’s total refining capacity and serves as the primary fuel supply source for Moscow and its surrounding capital region. This strike inflicted serious economic damage on Russia and forced local authorities to urgently suspend classes and activate large-scale air-raid alerts. From the night of October 15 through the morning of October 16, Ukrainian forces launched another long-range strike: drone swarms targeted Russia’s Bryansk Oblast near the Ukraine–Russia border, where several drones struck a major Russian military logistics transit warehouse and tactical ammunition depot, triggering secondary explosions and severing part of the military supply line delivering materiel to Kursk and frontline combat zones. Throughout October 16, Ukrainian forces conducted multiple harassment raids against Russia’s Belgorod Oblast—adjacent to the front line—using low-altitude cruise drones and modified rockets. They precisely struck several small substations powering Russian frontline radar and electronic warfare (EW) systems, as well as frontline fuel distribution points.

Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries: situation and subsequent impacts

I. Basic facts of the attacks Since summer 2025, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have intensified attacks on Russian energy infrastructure—including oil refineries. According to an article published by the Financial Times website on September 23, since August, 16 of Russia’s 38 oil refineries have been struck by Ukrainian drones; several of these facilities have been attacked multiple times. Ukrainian drone strikes have forced affected Russian refineries to halt production entirely or partially. Such attacks have continued intensively from late September through the present. Key incidents between September and October 1: (1) Ryazan Refinery On September 5, the Ryazan Oblast refinery—located southwest of Moscow—was struck by Ukrainian drones. This facility belongs to Rosneft. According to Ukrainian military data, its designed annual refining capacity is 17.1 million tons; Reuters reported that in 2024, it processed 13.1 million tons of crude oil. The refinery produces various grades of gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other petroleum products. It lies approximately 500 km from the Ukrainian border. The refinery had already been struck by Ukrainian drones on August 2, causing large-scale shutdowns. Ukrainian Drones Strike Rosneft Refinery in Ryazan Region (2) Kirishi Refinery On September 14, Ukrainian drones attacked the Kirishi refinery in Leningrad Oblast. Its annual refining capacity stands at 17 million tons—accounting for 6.4% of Russia’s total refinery capacity. The facility belongs to Surgutneftegas and lies 800 km from the Ukrainian border. It refines over 80 types of petroleum products—including automotive gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel—to meet the needs of the Russian Armed Forces. Russia Claims Strikes on Ukrainian Targets; Ukraine Claims Attacks on Russian Refineries and Railways (3) Saratov Refinery On September 16 and September 20, the Saratov refinery—owned by Rosneft—was struck twice by Ukrainian drones. It lies 600 km from Ukraine. According to Kyiv Independent, the Saratov refinery produces over 20 petroleum products—including gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, and asphalt—and processed 4.8 million tons of crude oil in 2023. (4) Salavat Refinery On September 18 and September 24, Ukrainian drones attacked the Salavat petrochemical plant—operated by Gazprom Neft—in Bashkortostan Republic, Russia. It lies 1,400 km from the Ukrainian border. The Salavat Refinery (Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat) ranks among Russia’s largest refineries, with an annual capacity of 10 million tons and production of over 150 petroleum and chemical products. Russian Refinery Struck

Attack appears to hit Russia's Ryazan oil refinery, Reuters analysis finds

14 hours ago

Reuters analysis indicates an attack on Russia's Ryazan oil refinery following a massive drone strike. The 340,000-barrel-per-day plant supplies Moscow, though specific damage remains unclear.

reuters

2026-11-05

Attack appears to hit Russia's Ryazan oil refinery, Reuters analysis finds

Attack appears to hit Russia's Ryazan oil refinery, Reuters analysis finds

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