Ukraine launched a major overnight drone offensive targeting multiple sites across Russia, including key oil infrastructure and military assets. The strikes marked another show of Kyiv’s growing long-range drone capabilities.
According to Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) and the SBU intelligence agency, several high-value targets were struck deep inside Russian territory.
Among them was the Ryazan oil refinery, located nearly 180 km southeast of Moscow, where a fire was reported following the attack. Also hit was the Annanefteprodukt oil storage facility in the Voronezh region, which lies close to Ukraine’s northeastern border.
In addition, Ukraine targeted the military airfield in Primorsko-Akhtarsk, a key launch site for Iranian-made Shahed drones used by Russia in attacks on Ukrainian territory.
Another strike reportedly damaged the Elektropribor factory in Penza, a facility believed to produce electronics vital to Russia’s military-industrial sector.
In response, Russia’s defence ministry said its air-defense systems intercepted 112 Ukrainian drones overnight , including 34 over the Rostov region, during a nearly nine-hour barrage from Friday night to Saturday morning.
Despite the interceptions, several civilian casualties were reported. In the Samara region, an elderly man was killed when drone debris caused a house fire. In Penza, a woman was killed, and two others injured in the attack on the electronics facility. In the Rostov region, a guard died after a drone-triggered fire at an industrial site.
On the front lines, Russia claimed control of the village of Oleksandro-Kalynove in Donetsk, though this could not be independently confirmed.
As Ukraine adapts to the demands of prolonged warfare, drone strikes have become central to its counteroffensive strategy, allowing it to target vital infrastructure far beyond the frontlines.
– Ends
With inputs from agencies
Tune In