In brief
Ukraine admits to two successful strikes on Russian oil refineries deep inside Russia, targeting Bashneft‑Novoil and Slavneft‑Yanos with patrol boats and drones. The attacks have ignited large fires and damaged storage tanks, according to Russian officials, and were witnessed in satellite footage. While Russia reports 11 deaths and a blackout in Kherson, Ukraine stresses the attacks curb Moscow’s war financing and bolster diplomatic prospects. The conflict has intensified as both sides target energy infrastructure across the front line.
Ukraine confirmed attacks on the Bashneft‑Novoil and Slavneft‑Yanos oil refineries in Russia, targeting facilities 700–1,300 km from its border.
The strikes, executed by patrol boats and drones, sparked large fires and damaged storage tanks, as reported by Yaroslavl governor Mikhail Evraev, with satellite footage showing four conflagrations.
While the refineries and other energy infrastructure suffer damage, Ukraine reports 11 casualties from Russian attacks and a blackout in the southern city of Kherson caused by a hit on critical power infrastructure.
The clashes underscore a strategy aimed at curbing Moscow’s oil‑financed war effort, amid a frozen front line and stalled diplomatic talks.
The same drone‑intense operation also affected the Black Sea, where Ukrainian patrol boats and the Russian “shadow fleet” were hit, indicating a broader campaign to disrupt sanctioned oil shipping.
Russian officials say they hit fuel, energy, and transport facilities, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urges Moscow to choose peace, framing the attacks as a means to strengthen diplomatic chances.
