Ukrainian Defense Forces Strike Saratov Refinery, Rostov Depot, and Proton Plant in Oryol

Ukrainian Defense Forces Launch Attacks on Key Russian Facilities

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: In the early hours of November 7, 2026, Ukraine’s Defense Forces carried out coordinated strikes targeting several strategic sites within Russia. The assaults focused on the following locations:

• The Saratov Oil Refinery;
• A depot near Rostov-on-Don;
• The Proton factory district in Oryol.

These attacks triggered multiple fires and inflicted damage on industrial installations, including facilities linked to Russia’s military-industrial complex.

The strike on the Saratov Oil Refinery, operated by Rosneft, involved the use of combat drones. The subsequent fire at the refinery was intense, with reports from the Telegram channel Exilenova+ indicating that Russian operators may be releasing pressure from the plant’s system, creating a visible flame that can be seen across various parts of the city. Historically, the Saratov refinery processed 7.2 million tons of oil in 2020, dropping to 4.8 million tons by 2023.

In Rostov-on-Don, explosions ignited a large fire at a storage facility near the Almaz plant, spreading over approximately 8,000 square meters. Meanwhile, in Oryol, a missile strike hit the area around the Proton factory, sparking a blaze near building No. 48. Proton specializes in manufacturing full-cycle optoelectronic equipment.

Production and Impact on Military Factories

The Proton plant produces critical components for Russian weaponry, including:

• Diode modules for the S-71K "Kover" missile;
• Switch-inverters used in the Iskander-M missile system;
• Microchips for the Pantsir-S1 air defense system.

Earlier, on October 23, 2026, Proton was also targeted, resulting in the destruction of its main workshop and damage to buildings and servers. Simultaneously, Ukraine’s forces struck the Energia plant in Lipetsk Oblast, which manufactures power supply components for missiles and aerial bombs.

"Today, the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the Saratov Oil Refinery in Saratov Oblast. This facility holds significant military-economic importance as it supplies fuel and lubricants to the Russian armed forces." - Telegram channel Exilenova+

Surveillance footage confirmed numerous ignition points at the attacked sites.

This offensive forms part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to degrade Russia’s military capabilities by targeting critical infrastructure that supports its armed forces. Disrupting production facilities responsible for weapons components and fuel supplies could substantially impair Russia’s ability to sustain military operations. The significance of plants like Proton and Energia highlights their essential role in manufacturing military equipment and ammunition.

The recent strikes on strategic facilities are part of a broader pattern of targeted attacks by Ukraine's Defense Forces. For instance, just weeks prior, the Energia plant in Lipetsk was also hit, resulting in significant damage and fires at military installations. These operations highlight Ukraine's ongoing strategy to disrupt Russia's military capabilities and infrastructure.