Ukrainian forces carried out long-range strikes on two major Russian oil refineries overnight, targeting key energy facilities as Kyiv continues efforts to increase economic and military pressure on Moscow. The attacks came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss continued support for Ukraine’s war effort and additional measures against Russia.

According to Ukraine’s Security Service and General Staff, the strikes caused fires at a Lukoil refinery in Russia’s Perm region, located more than 1,500 kilometres from Ukraine, and another refinery in Ryazan, around 400 kilometres from the Ukrainian border. Ukraine said the two facilities have a combined annual production capacity of around 220 million barrels of oil and play an important role in Russia’s military supply chain and government revenues.

The claims could not be independently verified. Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov confirmed that a drone attack had taken place in the region and said six people were hospitalised, with drone debris causing fires at industrial sites. Russian authorities have not provided detailed information about the extent of damage to the targeted refineries. The attacks highlight the challenge Russia faces in protecting its vast territory despite having advanced air defence systems.

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The strikes followed Zelenskyy’s meeting with Trump in Washington, where the Ukrainian leader said discussions focused on strengthening support for Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia. Zelenskyy described the talks as positive, while Trump called the meeting a “Great Honor.” Zelenskyy also met US lawmakers and representatives of defence companies, including Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, as Kyiv seeks access to advanced weapons systems and opportunities for joint production.

Ukraine has increasingly relied on domestically developed drones and long-range weapons to target Russian infrastructure, particularly oil facilities that support Moscow’s war efforts. Zelenskyy said Russia must face increasing costs for continuing the conflict and that sustained pressure was necessary to bring the war closer to an end. Ukrainian drone technology and battlefield innovations have attracted international attention, with US officials praising Kyiv’s use of unmanned systems.

Meanwhile, prospects for a peace settlement remain uncertain despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. US officials said presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to visit Kyiv in the future, although no date has been announced. Ukraine’s newly appointed military commander, General Mykhailo Drapatyi, said the country must strengthen operations across multiple areas, including expanding long-range and precision strikes.

Ukraine also claimed that its forces had struck 201 Russian vessels over the past three weeks in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, while Russian officials reported that their air defences had intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones overnight. Russian strikes continued in Ukraine as well, with authorities reporting attacks in the Kharkiv region that injured civilians. The latest developments indicate that both sides continue to intensify military operations despite diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

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