Ukraine launched fresh strikes on Russian oil facilities located deep inside the country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday, as Kyiv continued its campaign to target Moscow's wartime economy and critical infrastructure. The attacks reportedly affected refineries hundreds of kilometres away from the front line and have contributed to fuel shortages in parts of Russia, according to Ukrainian officials. Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces carried out overnight strikes on an oil refinery in Bashkortostan, located more than 1,300 kilometres from the front line in eastern Ukraine, as well as another refinery in Russia's Yaroslavl region, around 700 kilometres from the Ukrainian border. The Ukrainian president described the attacks as part of efforts to weaken Russia's ability to sustain its military operations.
The strikes come as Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russia's energy infrastructure, particularly oil facilities that are considered vital sources of revenue for Moscow. Kyiv has argued that such operations are aimed at reducing Russia's ability to finance the war and disrupting fuel supplies that support military logistics. Zelenskyy also said Ukrainian forces struck two Russian military patrol boats in the Black Sea and attacked vessels linked to Moscow's so-called "shadow fleet". These vessels are allegedly used by Russia to bypass Western restrictions and continue exporting oil despite sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian president did not provide details about the ships involved or the extent of the damage caused.
The latest attacks have highlighted Ukraine's efforts to extend the reach of its strikes beyond the immediate battlefield. Ukrainian forces have increasingly used drones and other long-range capabilities to target strategic locations inside Russia, while Russian forces continue missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. According to Zelenskyy, the strikes have contributed to fuel shortages and created public concern inside Russia. Ukraine has portrayed the attacks as a response to continued Russian strikes against its territory, particularly as Ukrainian air defences face pressure from repeated Russian bombardments.
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Russia's Defence Ministry said on Thursday that its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 605 Ukrainian drones overnight across several Russian regions, as well as over the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula and the Black and Azov seas. The ministry did not provide details on whether any drones caused damage to facilities or casualties. The Russian government has previously criticised Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure, warning that such strikes could escalate tensions and affect regional security. Moscow has maintained that its military operations are focused on achieving its objectives in Ukraine, while Kyiv has defended its strikes as legitimate efforts to weaken Russia's war capabilities.
The continued targeting of oil facilities and military assets reflects the evolving nature of the Russia-Ukraine war, with both sides increasingly relying on long-range attacks. While Ukraine has sought to pressure Russia through strikes on strategic infrastructure, Moscow has continued its aerial campaigns against Ukrainian cities and energy networks. As the conflict enters another phase, attacks on energy infrastructure, military equipment, and supply routes are expected to remain a key component of both countries' strategies. The latest strikes underline the ongoing struggle between Ukraine's attempts to disrupt Russia's war economy and Moscow's efforts to maintain its military operations.
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