A massive drone attack was launched by Ukraine on Friday, with targets hundreds of miles into Russian territory being hit overnight.
Russia Says it Downed Over 500 Ukrainian Drones
Switchblade Drone. Image Credit: Industry Handout.
The Russian Defense Ministry alleges its forces downed some 512 Ukrainian drones.
Yaroslavl’s Slavneft-YANOS refinery, the country’s fifth-biggest refinery, was among those targeted. The facility can process about 300,000 barrels of crude per day, or 15 million metric tons annually.
According to Yaroslavl Governor Mikhail Yevrayev, 67 drones were brought down over his region. He also reported one fatality due to the debris.
“Units from the Defense Ministry and security agencies are working to repel the attack,” Yevrayev said during the raid, according to Ukrainska Pravda.
A section of the M8 highway toward Moscow was closed, while some bus and public transportation routes were suspended or diverted.
Footage circulated by Russian Telegram channels appeared to show fires burning at the refinery.
Kyiv Admits Responsibility
Kyiv later took responsibility for hitting the refinery.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had struck the Yaroslavl facility, which he put roughly 620 miles from the front line.
“Russians must feel what their war is like,” Zelensky said.
Ukraine’s military justified the strikes, claiming Slavneft-YANOS supplies fuel and lubricants to the Russian military.
Slavneft, which partly owns the plant, is a joint venture between Rosneft and Gazprom Neft.
This is not the first time Ukraine has hit the plant.
Reuters reported after an August 6 attack that the same refinery caught fire after Yevrayev said debris from a large Ukrainian drone barrage struck the facility. The refinery was also targeted multiple times in 2026.
Zelensky also said Ukraine’s SBU Alpha unit struck a Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber at Engels air base in Saratov Oblast.
Tu-95 Bomber Russian Air Force. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Tu-95 Bear Bomber. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
“These are the aircraft that are carrying out strikes against Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
Around Moscow, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said two drones flying toward the capital were destroyed.
In Pavlovsky Posad, east of Moscow, a drone struck a Magnit grocery store and shattered dozens of windows at a nearby medical clinic, according to Russian regional authorities.
Early on Wednesday, Ukraine also struck Russia’s fourth-biggest oil refinery amid its ongoing campaign against the fuel infrastructure supporting its war on Kyiv.
Ukraine has also been attacking firms it says are supporting Russia’s war effort. On Monday, Ukrainian drones hit four logistics hubs belonging to Russian online retailer Ozon.
Russia Rations Fuel
Russia’s domestic fuel supply is currently under vast pressure due to Ukrainian attacks.
Last week, Moscow motorists again faced gasoline shortages and long lines, with some filling stations limiting purchases or running out altogether.
“We have been to five petrol stations already, and there was no fuel,” one Moscow resident told Reuters after unsuccessfully visiting several stations.
The Kremlin has begun restricting exports, loosening some fuel-quality requirements and importing petroleum products.
It is reportedly preparing to extend its diesel export ban through September, while one industry source said keeping the restriction in place through the end of 2026 was also being discussed.
Motor gasoline exports have already been banned until January 31, 2027.
Russia Hits 14 Ukrainian Warehouses
Ukraine’s operation came as Russia continued its own aerial campaign. Russian drones reportedly damaged 14 warehouses, 16 homes and three apartment buildings in the Kyiv region on Friday.
One person was reportedly killed near Kyiv, while four people were injured in a Zaporizhzhia shop.
Peace Talks on ‘Deep Pause’ As Escalation Looms
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that negotiations with Ukraine were on a “deep pause.” No direct talks are currently ongoing between Ukraine and Russia, although Reuters claims talks could be held next month.
“We’re pressing forward with the special military operation and our troops are making gains on the frontlines,” Peskov said.
On Thursday, the U.S. business outlet Bloomberg said Moscow was mulling over whether to deploy harsher conventional ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv.
They also claimed Russia was considering wider attacks on infrastructure across the country going forward.
Three sources close to the Kremlin also told the outlet that Moscow could escalate fighting on the ground.
Kyiv also warned this week that Russia could be preparing to mobilize another 300,000 troops following elections on September 18, 19, and 20.
About the Author: Georgia Gilholy
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
