Ukrainian Defense Forces Strike Russian Oil Refinery and Osa SAM System in Donetsk

Military Operation by Ukraine’s Defense Forces on May 21–22, 2026

According to Главком: On the night of May 21–22, 2026, Ukraine’s Defense Forces conducted a series of precision strikes against Russian occupation targets. Among the assets hit was an Osa surface-to-air missile system located in the city of Donetsk, along with several command observation posts and other military installations. The strikes also targeted command points in Novopetrykivka, Donetsk region, and Tyotkino, located in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.

Additional command facilities were struck in the area of Voskresenka, Dnipropetrovsk region, and a communications hub was destroyed in Verkhniy Tokmak Druhyi, Zaporizhzhia region. The operation further struck drone control centers in Selydove, Malynivka, and Vesele, all within the Donetsk region. A key achievement was the destruction of an ammunition depot in Velyka Novosilka, as well as logistical supply warehouses in Donetsk and Rovenky.

Impact on Combat Operations

Beyond these targets, Ukrainian forces hit concentrations of enemy personnel in Selydove, Ukrainka, and Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, as well as in Malynivka, Zaporizhzhia region, and Troyebortnoye in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast. The offensive also included strikes on river crossings over the Oskil River near Holubivka and the Bakhmutovka area near Siversk. Earlier, the AVT-6 primary oil refining unit at the Nizhny Novgorod Oil and Gas Processing Plant in Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, was also hit.

This operation highlights the intensified efforts by Ukrainian forces to degrade Russia’s critical infrastructure and military capabilities. By targeting ammunition depots, command nodes, and logistical hubs, the strikes aim to reduce the enemy’s combat effectiveness. Such actions are likely to have a significant impact on the ongoing conflict, particularly in the contested regions of eastern Ukraine.

As the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to enhance their operational effectiveness, recent strikes have not only targeted key military assets but also disrupted enemy logistics significantly. This strategy mirrors earlier operations, such as the recent engagement in Dagestan and Yeysk, where Ukrainian forces targeted critical naval and airfield infrastructure. For a detailed look at how these coordinated efforts are shaping the battlefield dynamics, see our coverage of the strikes on a vessel in Dagestan and an airfield in Yeysk here.