Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Refineries as Zelensky Denounces “Massive Attack”
KYIV,Ukraine – Ukrainian forces struck two oil refineries in Russia overnight,targeting facilities in Saratov and Novokouïbyvsk (Samara oblast),the Ukrainian armed forces announced Saturday. The attacks represent a continued escalation in Kyiv’s campaign against Russian energy infrastructure, a key source of revenue for Moscow as the war in Ukraine enters its third year.
According to the Ukrainian military, both refineries “participate in the supply of the Russian armed forces.” The Saratov refinery,located approximately 600 kilometers east of the Ukrainian front line,processes 4.8 million metric tonnes of crude oil annually and produces over 20 petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, and bitumen. It had already been targeted by Kyiv on Tuesday. The Novokouïbyvsk refinery is located over 900 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
Reports from the ground confirm explosions and large-scale fires at both sites. Residents in Saratov posted videos on Telegram appearing to show a drone striking the refinery, triggering a notable explosion. Russian Telegram channels have also circulated images and videos of the resulting fires.
Roman Boussarguine,the governor of the Saratov Oblast,reported that a residential building in Saratov was damaged during a drone attack,resulting in one injury,though he did not directly link it to the refinery strike.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted 15 drones over the Samara Oblast, but did not report any damage to the Novokouïbyvsk refinery.
The strikes come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced a “massive attack” by Russia overnight,though details of that attack were not instantly available. Kyiv has increasingly focused on disrupting Russia’s oil and gas sector, aiming to degrade Moscow’s ability to fund its war effort.
