In the latest development in a series of long-range attacks on Russian oil facilities, two Ukrainian attack drones targeted the largest oil refinery in southern Russia on Saturday, according to a source in Kyiv who spoke to Reuters. Local authorities in Russia confirmed an extinguished fire at the Volgograd refinery following the drone attack. Lukoil, the oil producer owning the refinery, later reported that the plant was operating normally.
The Kyiv source revealed that the operation conducted by the SBU security service specifically struck the primary processing facility, emphasizing its crucial role in the refinery’s production capacity. While Ukrainian officials rarely publicly claim responsibility for deep strike attacks on Russian territory, the Volgograd refinery becomes the latest in a series of facilities to be targeted by drones, as Kyiv considers such infrastructure vital for the Kremlin’s war effort.
The source informed Reuters that these drone attacks would persist, explaining, “By hitting oil refineries working for the Russian military-industrial complex, we not only cut off the logistics of fuel supplies for enemy equipment but also reduce funds into the Russian budget.”
The distance between the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, near the Russian border, and the southern Russian city of Volgograd is over 600km. Russia has been conducting regular long-range missile strikes on targets in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion, prompting Kyiv to seek innovative solutions to counter Moscow’s advanced military technology.
Ukraine has actively promoted the development of drone technology, aiming to produce long-range drones that enable effective retaliation against Russian military assets. The ongoing conflict has underscored Ukraine’s determination to leverage technological advancements to defend its territory and disrupt key elements of Russia’s war strategy.