A powerful overnight Ukrainian drone strike triggered explosions and a major fire at a key oil refinery in Ryazan, deep inside Russian territory — more than 470 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
The attack marks the second strike in less than a week on the same facility, escalating pressure on Russia’s war machine.
Kyiv: ‘A Repeat Strike to Cripple Russia’s Military Capability’
Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed the strike on Facebook, saying Ukrainian defense forces carried out a “repeat attack” as part of efforts to reduce Russia’s ability to fuel its military operations.
The refinery, owned by Rosneft, is one of Russia’s most strategically important energy assets. With an annual processing capacity of 17 million tons, it accounts for over 6% of Russia’s total refining output and plays a crucial role in supplying fuel to the Moscow region.
Second Blow in a Week
The facility was already struggling after a November 15 strike, which forced it to temporarily halt oil processing.
This latest attack targeted secondary processing units, sparking explosions and fires throughout the complex.
Local Russian authorities have remained tight-lipped, but footage circulating online shows plumes of smoke rising from the refinery.
A Growing Pattern of Deep Strikes
As Ukraine ramps up its long-range drone program, Russian infrastructure far from the front lines is increasingly vulnerable.
Military analysts say the Ryazan attacks demonstrate Kyiv’s expanding ability to hit strategic targets hundreds of kilometers inside Russia, complicating Moscow’s logistics and fueling operations.
With winter warfare intensifying, both sides are expected to escalate long-range strikes in the coming weeks.