Ukraine carried out one of its largest drone offensives against Russia on Friday, targeting critical infrastructure, including the Ryazan oil refinery and a major heating power plant. The strike, involving over 100 drones, marks a significant escalation in Ukraine's cross-border capabilities, aimed at undermining Russian military logistics and economic infrastructure.
The Ryazan refinery, one of Russia's largest with an annual processing capacity of 17 million tons, suffered extensive damage. "At least three tanks are burning, and a fire has engulfed the diesel fuel and aviation kerosene hydrotreating unit," an unnamed Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) official told POLITICO. Social media posts by local residents showed dramatic footage of fireballs and smoke plumes rising over the refinery, which lies about 500 kilometers from Ukraine's border.
The offensive also targeted the Kremniy factory in Bryansk, a facility critical to Russia's military-industrial complex. Ukrainian officials claim the factory, a key producer of microelectronics for missiles and air defense systems, has suspended operations following the attack. This marks the third time the facility has been struck in recent months, according to Colonel Andriy Kovaneko of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation.
Russia's defense ministry acknowledged the scale of the operation, claiming to have intercepted and destroyed 121 drones across 11 regions, including six over Moscow. While Russian officials reported no casualties or damage in Moscow, other regions such as Bryansk and Kursk faced disruptions. Power lines were damaged in Kursk, leading to electricity outages in one district, according to Mayor Igor Kutsak.
Despite Russia's assertions, Ukrainian officials highlighted significant disruptions. "It's the effect of our 'drone sanctions' against enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex and the oil sector in the Russian rear," a senior Ukrainian official stated. "We will continue to weaken Russian military capabilities."
Verified footage analyzed by BBC Verify confirms multiple fires at the Ryazan refinery, including one near the northern entrance and another on the eastern side of the facility. The coordinated attacks underscore Ukraine's increasing reliance on drones to strike deep into Russian territory.
The refinery attack is expected to have wide-ranging consequences. In addition to its economic impact, Ukrainian officials believe these strikes are forcing Russia to ration artillery on the battlefield. General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander in Chief of Ukraine's Army, noted that Russian daily artillery consumption has been cut nearly in half, dropping from 40,000 rounds per day.
In a related operation, Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 25 of 58 drones launched by Russia overnight. However, debris from one of the Russian drones killed three civilians and injured another in the Kyiv region, according to Ukraine's Interior Ministry.
The drone offensive coincides with reports of disruptions at Moscow's Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports, where flights were briefly suspended and redirected. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that air defenses intercepted drones at four locations near the capital, with no reported damage.
