Ukrainian forces recently conducted long-range strikes against two major oil refineries located deep within Russian territory. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the Bashneft-Novoil refinery in the Bashkortostan republic and the Slavneft-Yanos refinery in Yaroslavl were targeted. The Bashneft-Novoil site sits approximately 1,300km from the Ukrainian border while Slavneft-Yanos is 700km away.
Mikhail Evraev, the regional governor of Yaroslavl, stated that the Slavneft-Yanos facility caught fire following what he described as a massive drone operation. Local reports indicate that falling debris struck storage tanks, leading to emergency response efforts. Authorities noted that four individuals sustained injuries during the event.
Beyond refinery strikes, the Ukrainian military reported hits on patrol boats and vessels involved in transporting oil in the Black Sea. President Zelensky stated that these actions aim to constrain the energy revenues Russia uses to fund military operations. He characterized these maneuvers as a method to push for diplomatic outcomes by impacting the economic foundation of the conflict.
Simultaneously, Russian forces carried out significant strikes across Ukraine. Officials in the Kharkiv region reported that drones hit residential areas in Balakliya and a train station in Lozova, resulting in multiple fatalities. Furthermore, the city of Kherson currently faces a complete power outage after a strike on critical infrastructure. Casualties were also reported in the Dnipropetrovsk region and the port city of Odesa. Both sides continue to target energy and transport assets as the front line remains largely static.