Ukrainian Defense Forces used drones to strike two Russian oil refineries, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on social media. The attacks targeted the Slavneft-Yanos refinery in Yaroslavl and the Bashneft-Novoil refinery in Bashkortostan.
Zelenskyy said the strikes are part of a strategy aimed at reducing Russia's ability to finance the war. He stated that long-range operations worked to limit oil revenues used to fund the war and the killing of Ukrainians, noting that Ukrainian forces hit facilities more than 1,300 kilometers from the front line.
Videos published on social media showed thick black smoke rising from the area of the Yaroslavl refinery immediately following the drone strikes. Zelenskyy added that Ukrainian forces also struck two military patrol boats and vessels belonging to Russia's shadow fleet in the Black Sea.
Targeted oil refinery facilities
The Slavneft-Yanos refinery in Yaroslavl is one of the largest in Russia and has been targeted by Ukrainian strikes several times in recent months. The city of Yaroslavl is located about 280 kilometers northeast of Moscow.
According to the company website, the Yaroslavl facility processes about 15 million tons of crude oil annually. Its output includes automotive fuel, aviation fuel, and a broad range of lubricants and oils.
Approximately 3,500 people work at the Slavneft-Yanos plant in Yaroslavl.
