Ukraine's Drones Hit a Major Russian Refinery 800 Miles From the Border, Sparking a Fire

Ukrainian drones struck a major Russian oil refinery deep within the country, marking the fourth such attack in three days as part of Kyiv's campaign to damage Moscow's energy sector, military officials said Thursday.

The Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat oil refining and petrochemical complex in Russia's Bashkortostan republic, located approximately 800 miles southeast of Moscow from Ukraine's border, was hit overnight, causing a fire at the facility. The complex processes up to 74 million barrels of oil annually and produces gasoline, diesel fuel and other products, according to Ukraine's General Staff.

Russia's Bashkortostan governor, Radiy Khabirov, said the drone attack wounded two civilians and started a fire in an industrial zone. Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, reported a fire at one of its facilities in the same industrial zone following the overnight attack, though the company said the facility was evacuated and goods were not being stored there.

The strikes have reduced Russia's refining capacity and caused gas station shortages. Ukrainian officials say the campaign aims to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin toward a peace deal, though there is no indication the strategy is working. Russia, one of the world's largest energy producers, relies heavily on oil as an economic mainstay.

The refinery attack followed Ukrainian anti-ship missiles and drones striking a major Russian naval base on the Black Sea coast. Also, four explosive experts from Russia's Emergency Ministry and a security guard were killed Thursday in Sevastopol after "an enemy weapon detonated" While they inspected a Ukrainian attack site, according to the Russian-installed governor.

A Russian refinery in Orsk suspended operations after being hit by Ukrainian drones earlier in the week. The regional governor said "key infrastructure, which cannot be restored at this time" Was damaged, including foreign equipment, and repairs could take up to six months given international sanctions.

In response, Russia has continued strikes on Ukrainian targets. A jet-powered drone killed a passenger train engineer and his assistant in the southern Odesa region Thursday. Russian drone attacks featuring 133 long-range strike drones killed at least four people and wounded eight others across Ukraine overnight Wednesday to Thursday.

Ukraine is struggling to obtain sufficient U.S.-made Patriot interceptor missiles to counter Russian ballistic missiles. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine has 2.5 times fewer Patriot interceptors this year than in 2025 and is requesting the United States sell 5% of its interceptor stock, so far obtaining just 1%.

European countries paid U.S. Defense companies at least 3.5 billion dollars for military equipment sent to Ukraine in the first half of the year, according to a report by Germany's Kiel Institute. The Trump administration is not providing its own aid but is allowing other countries to purchase U.S. Equipment for Ukraine.