Ukraine Strikes Critical Russian Oil Facilities In Long-Range Attack

Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery in deep inside Russia as well as other targets in Russian-occupied territory, Ukraine’s military has said.  

The Ukrainian General Staff said Tuesday that overnight strikes hit the oil facility in Saratov region where images of explosions and a fire were widely shared on social media.  

Newsweek has contacted the Russian defense ministry for comment. 

Why It Matters 

The attack on the oil facility in Saratov, over 370 miles east from the front line, was said to be the seventh so far this year and marks Kyiv’s increasing use of domestically-produced drones to strike at Russia’s energy exports which fuels its war machine.  

What To Know 

In a statement on Telegram, Ukraine’s General Staff said Tuesday that it had hit the Saratov Oil Refinery which produces more than 20 types of petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel and sulfur. 

A series of explosions were recorded and there was a massive fire although the extent of the damage is still being assessed.  

The site had been previously targeted by drones on November 3 and Monday night’s attack was the seventh since the beginning of 2025, the Kyiv Independent reported. 

Saratov Governor Roman Busargin said in a statement that drones had damaged civilian infrastructure, without confirming whether the refinery had been struck in the incident which temporarily disrupted aviation. 

Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry said that air defenses had intercepted 37 drones overnight, including eight over the Saratov region, without specifying further. 

Ukraine’s General Staff also reported a strike on an oil terminal in Feodosia in Crimea which was a key hub for the supply of fuel and lubricants by sea to the Crimean Peninsula and the occupied territories of southern Ukraine. 

Russian-occupied Donetsk Oblast was also attacked, according to the Ukrainian statement which said that drones hit a military warehouse and a troop concentration near the village of Ocheretyne. 

What People Are Saying 

Ukraine’s General Staff on Telegram: “The Defense Forces continue to take all measures to undermine the military-economic potential of the Russian occupiers and force the Russian Federation to stop its armed aggression against Ukraine.” 

X account War Translated: “An oil refinery in the city of Saratov was attacked. The refinery produces over 20 types of petroleum products—gasoline, fuel oil, diesel fuel, vacuum gas oil, technical sulfur, and more—and operates to meet the needs of the Russian army.” 

X account OSINT Technical: “Russia’s burning Saratov oil refinery, lighting up the sky after a successful Ukrainian drone strike tonight.” 

What Happens Next 

As ceasefire efforts falter, Ukraine and Russia are likely to continue to trade assaults on each other’s energy infrastructure.