Ukraine Intensifies Drone Campaign, Sets Major Russian Oil Refinery Ablaze Amid Growing Fuel Shortages

KYIV: Ukraine continued its intensified long-range drone campaign against Russia, targeting a major oil refinery in the southern Krasnodar region and further disrupting Russia’s energy infrastructure as the conflict entered another critical phase.

According to Russian authorities, the overnight drone strike ignited a large fire at the Slavyansk-na-Kubani oil refinery, while separate attacks were also reported in the Yaroslavl region. The assault resulted in casualties, with local officials confirming deaths and injuries in areas affected by the strikes.

The latest attacks form part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to weaken Russia’s military logistics by targeting oil production and fuel distribution facilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the campaign as “long-range sanctions,” aimed at reducing Moscow’s capacity to sustain its military operations.

The sustained drone offensive has intensified fuel shortages across several Russian regions, prompting long queues at filling stations and fuel rationing in some areas. Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly acknowledged the country’s fuel deficit, pledging stronger protection for energy infrastructure, increased fuel production, and additional imports to stabilize supplies.

Meanwhile, Russia responded with another wave of drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian authorities reported intercepting most of the incoming aerial threats, while Russia claimed its air defense systems shot down more than 200 Ukrainian drones overnight. Both sides reported civilian casualties and infrastructure damage resulting from the continuing exchanges.

The latest escalation underscores the expanding role of long-range drone warfare in the conflict, with Ukraine increasingly targeting strategic sites deep inside Russian territory to exert economic and military pressure on Moscow, while Russia continues its aerial strikes against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.