Ukraine said Thursday that it carried out drone attacks against two major oil refineries in Russia’s Yaroslavl region and the republic of Bashkortostan, while authorities in the Tver region reported damage to a warehouse operated by online retail giant Wildberries.
In a post on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his military struck the Slavneft-Yanos refinery in Yaroslavl and the Bashneft-Novoil refinery in Ufa. Zelensky referred to the strikes as “long-range sanctions.”
“Our responses to Russian aggression in the Black Sea were also successful. In particular, two military patrol boats and shadow fleet vessels were struck,” Zelensky added.
Telegram news channels published eyewitness video showing smoke rising over Slavneft-Yanos in Yaroslavl following the sounds of explosions. A joint venture between Rosneft and Gazprom Neft, the facility ranks among Russia’s five largest oil refineries, with an annual processing capacity of around 15 million metric tons.
Yaroslavl region Governor Mikhail Yevrayev, without mentioning the fire at Slavneft-Yanos, claimed air defense forces repelled “the largest-ever enemy drone attack” over the region. He said 92 Ukrainian drones were intercepted, with at least four people injured and several homes, apartment buildings and vehicles damaged.
Ukraine’s military claims to have struck Slavneft-Yanos twice already in July.
Authorities in Bashkortostan have not yet commented on the alleged strike against Bashneft-Novoil, which processes 7.4 million metric tons of crude annually and marks at least the third reported attack on Bashneft refineries in Ufa over the past week.
Meanwhile, in the central Tver region, local authorities reported “slight damage” to a Wildberries warehouse as a result of overnight Ukrainian attacks.
The company, Russia’s largest online retailer, did not immediately comment on the incident.
Ukraine has attacked almost two dozen Wildberries logistics centers since mid-July, accusing the company of supplying the Russian military with drone parts and other equipment.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it intercepted 605 Ukrainian drones across Russia and annexed Crimea between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.
Later on Thursday, in the Bryansk region, authorities said two people were killed in Ukrainian drone strikes.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
