Ukraine says it attacked two Russian oil refineries

What Happened

On 30 March 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Ukrainian forces successfully struck two Russian oil refineries with long-range drones: the Slavyansk refinery in Krasnodar region (approximately 300 km from the front line) and the Yaroslavl refinery (approximately 700 km from the front line). Zelenskyy stated these operations weaken Russia’s ability to wage the war. Russian regional authorities confirmed drone attacks and reported consequences: in Slavyansk-na-Kubani, Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said a fire broke out and one person was killed; Yaroslavl Governor Mikhail Yevrayev said the region was attacked and city exits were temporarily shut. In the Belgorod region, one person was killed in Shebekinsky district after 64 drone attacks in 24 hours, per Tass. Kursk Governor Alexander Khinshtein reported 117 drones shot down, with explosives dropped seven times. The Russian Ministry of Defence also claimed continued ground offensive advances west of Lyman, stating it killed 30 Ukrainian soldiers and destroyed vehicles and drone systems. These attacks are part of a sustained Ukrainian campaign targeting Russian energy infrastructure, which has previously struck facilities in Kerch, Crimea, and the port of Kavkaz, leading to fuel shortages and economic impact.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The strikes on oil refineries deep inside Russia underscore Ukraine’s effort to disrupt fuel supplies that support Russian military operations. By extending its drone reach to targets up to 700 km from the front, Ukraine aims to degrade Russia’s logistical and economic capacity to sustain the war. The campaign has already triggered fuel shortages in Russian-controlled Crimea and affected the broader Russian economy, signaling a strategic shift to asymmetrical long-range attacks alongside ground fighting.

Watch For

Monitor whether Russia retaliates with escalated strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, the progress of any renewed ceasefire negotiations after Putin’s reference to Istanbul talks, and the situation of Russia’s ground offensive west of Lyman as claimed by the Russian MoD. Also watch for further Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil facilities and any international reaction to the deepening attacks on civilian-linked infrastructure.