Ukraine on Wednesday claimed one of its most extensive long-range drone offensives since the war began, saying it struck three Russian oil refineries, key petroleum infrastructure, military facilities and tankers in the Sea of Azov during overnight attacks. Russian officials also confirmed the strikes across multiple regions, saying air defences intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones, though they acknowledged damage in several areas.
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The strikes, reported by both Ukrainian and Russian officials, stretched from areas near the Ukrainian border to Russia's Urals region, highlighting Kyiv's continued efforts to target Moscow's energy infrastructure and military logistics deep inside Russian territory.
In separate statements, Ukraine's General Staff and Special Operations Forces said drones hit the TANECO and TAIF-NK oil refineries in Nizhnekamsk, Tatarstan, the Saratov oil refinery, the Borisoglebsk military airbase in Russia's Voronezh region, and a petroleum products pumping station in Bashkortostan.
Ukraine also said it had struck nine oil tankers in the Sea of Azov, describing them as part of a key supply route supporting Russian forces in Crimea and other Russian-controlled areas of southern Ukraine.
Russian authorities acknowledged attacks in Tatarstan, Saratov and Voronezh, although they did not specify the exact targets that were hit. Russia's defence ministry said its air defences had destroyed 415 Ukrainian drones overnight.
The extent of the damage at the targeted facilities could not be independently verified.
