Inside Russia: one day of Ukrainian strikes
Over a 24-hour period, Ukraine’s military hit 16 targets across Russian territory. The list includes oil infrastructure, airfields, a missile unit, a defence enterprise, and logistics assets. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strikes were a direct response to Russia’s ongoing bombardment of Ukrainian cities. Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed that one of the affected sites was the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez refinery in Kstovo, where a fire broke out after the attack.
The Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez plant is Russia’s fourth-largest oil refinery by capacity. It can process up to 17 million tonnes of crude per year, with a refining depth of about 78%. According to Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces Command, the refinery accounts for up to 11% of all gasoline production in the Russian Federation.
"During the day, our warriors struck 16 targets in Russia. Among them were long-range responses against oil facilities — Russia’s oil wallet that fuels this war." — Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukraine’s next moves and broader strategy
Zelenskyy also stressed that "war must return to where it came from," and that Ukraine is responding to Russian attacks by reducing Russia's potential for aggression. The exact scale of damage at the refinery is still being assessed. The General Staff confirmed the target was hit and that a fire subsequently broke out on the plant's territory. "Work against the enemy's key facilities continues. More to come," the General Staff said.
The operation involved Deep Strike units, the Unmanned Systems Forces, and other elements of Ukraine’s defense forces. Amid the ongoing war, Ukrainian troops continue to strike critical Russian infrastructure.
This attack is part of a broader Ukrainian campaign aimed at undermining Russia's logistics and financial resources supporting its military operations. As the conflict continues, such strikes could significantly affect Russia’s ability to wage war, especially in terms of energy security. Ukraine's military response to Russian shelling demonstrates its readiness to retaliate and maintain national defense capabilities.
In addition to the recent strikes on the Lukoil refinery, Ukrainian forces have also targeted key military infrastructure, including a military airfield and an oil facility in Perm. These coordinated attacks highlight Ukraine's strategy to undermine Russia's military capabilities and disrupt critical supply lines. For more details on the recent drone strikes, see our coverage here.