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Ukrainian Drone and Missile Strikes Target Russian Energy Infrastructure; Russia Responds with Missile Attacks on Ukraine

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Escalating Strikes: A Chronicle of Military Actions

A series of military actions involving Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure and Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities have occurred over several months, with reports from various sources providing details on specific incidents.

Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Energy Infrastructure

Ukrainian forces have conducted a sustained campaign of drone and missile strikes targeting oil refineries, oil depots, and other energy-related facilities within Russia and Russian-occupied territories. Ukrainian officials have stated that these facilities are considered legitimate military targets because they contribute to funding Russia's military operations.

February 2026

  • February 27: Ukrainian forces reportedly struck a thermal power station in Russia's Belgorod Oblast and an oil depot in Russian-occupied Luhansk. Social media footage and Russian officials reported that High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) struck the regional center of Belgorod, leading to power outages. Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported a "massive missile attack" that caused "serious damage" to energy infrastructure, disrupting power, water, and heating services. In Luhansk, photographs and footage showed an oil depot in flames following a series of explosions. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify these claims.

March 2026

  • March 15: Ukrainian forces reportedly struck the Tikhoretsk oil pumping station in Russia's Krasnodar Krai. Social media images appeared to show substantial flames from the facility. This reported strike occurred three days after the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reportedly targeted the same facility's infrastructure, causing a significant fire, according to a source who spoke with the Kyiv Independent. The Kyiv Independent could not immediately confirm these reports.
  • March 28: Ukrainian drones reportedly struck the Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery in Yaroslavl, central Russia. The refinery is among Russia's five largest, with a stated capacity exceeding 15 million tons annually. Yaroslavl is approximately 700 kilometers from Ukraine's border. Prior to the incident, Yaroslavl Oblast Governor Mikhail Yevrayev had declared a drone attack threat.

April 2026

  • April 19: Social media channels and the independent Russian outlet Astra reported that Ukrainian drones struck a seaport in Yeysk, Krasnodar Krai. According to Krasnodar Krai's Operational Headquarters, drone debris fell in the seaport area, breaking windows in three nearby homes.

May 2026

  • May 18: Fires broke out at the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez oil refinery in Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod Region, following a drone attack. OSINT analysts concluded from published footage that the damaged facility was likely the ELOU-AVT unit, a key primary oil refining installation. The refinery has an installed primary oil refining capacity of about 17 million tonnes per year.
  • May 19: Ukraine's Defense Forces struck the Yaroslavl-3 oil pumping station.
  • May 17: The Moscow oil refinery suspended production for at least several days after a drone attack, according to Reuters.
  • May 15: The Ryazan oil refinery halted operations after a drone strike which ignited a major fire. In 2024, it processed 13.1 million metric tons of crude oil.
  • May 20: Reuters reported that the Moscow oil refinery had halted processing "protectively to mitigate risks" after a strike. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said a drone crashed near the Moscow refinery, injuring 12 people. Ukraine's General Staff and Security Service confirmed strikes on facilities linked to Russia's military-industrial and energy sectors.

June 2026

  • June: Ukraine conducted a record number of long-range drone strikes against Russia, according to reports. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting 660 Ukrainian drones on June 26. On June 18, when the Moscow Oil Refinery in Kapotnya was hit, 555 drones were reported destroyed. According to Janes, a military intelligence company, the number of confirmed long-range strikes in June nearly tripled compared to May. The Moscow Oil Refinery, which supplies about 40% of the region's fuel, suffered extensive damage and is expected to remain offline until 2027, per Reuters.

Other Reported Strikes

  • February 14-15, 2026: Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) reported strikes on an oil terminal in southern Russia and a Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system in occupied Crimea. The Tamanneftegaz Oil Terminal near Volna in Krasnodar Krai was struck, and a fire was reported. A Pantsir-S1 system near Kacha in occupied Crimea was also struck. The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported a Russian 55Zh6U "Nebo-U" long-range radar station was struck near Yevpatoriia in occupied Crimea on February 12.

Russian Strikes on Ukraine

Russia has conducted a series of missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, including the use of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile.

Reported Strikes with the Oreshnik Missile

  • November 2024: Russia used the Oreshnik missile against a target in Dnipro, Ukraine. This was the first documented use of the missile.
  • January 2026: Russia used the Oreshnik missile in an attack on Lviv, western Ukraine. The strike was part of a larger drone and missile offensive that also impacted Kyiv. Ukraine reported four civilian deaths and 19 injuries. The Oreshnik is an intermediate-range ballistic missile, approximately 12 meters long, with a range of up to 5,500 km and a payload over one ton. The missile releases multiple reentry vehicles that deploy kinetic penetrators, relying on high impact velocity for destruction. Analysts state that the strikes appear consistent with strategic signalling.
  • May 24, 2026: Russia conducted a strike near Kyiv using the Oreshnik missile. Videos showed glowing projectiles impacting without explosive flashes. The intended target in Bila Tserkva is unclear.

Other Russian Strikes on Ukraine

  • January 8-9, 2026: A Russian attack on Lviv and Kyiv resulted in at least four fatalities. Russia's defense ministry identified an aircraft repair plant as the Oreshnik's target in Lviv. The attack was stated to be a response to an alleged Ukrainian drone strike on a residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in late December 2025. Kyiv denied involvement in any such drone attack.
  • June 17, 2024: The UK at the UN Security Council condemned Russia's mass strikes on Ukrainian cities. The June 14-15 attack involved 611 drones and 70 missiles, including 40 ballistic and hypersonic missiles, according to UK Chargé d’Affaires James Kariuki.
  • Overnight Attacks (Date unspecified): Russian drone and missile strikes on Kyiv resulted in one fatality and three injuries. Separate attacks on Kyiv resulted in four fatalities and 20 injuries. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported damage to several residential buildings. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that intelligence indicated Russia was preparing a strike with the Oreshnik missile.

Civilian Casualties and Damage

  • Civilian Casualties: The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported that May 2026 was the deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since April 2022, with at least 274 civilians killed and 1,763 wounded. UN officials reported that May 2024 had the highest monthly civilian casualty total up to that point in the war.
  • Cultural Heritage Damage: The United Nations reported that the June 17, 2024 Russian strikes damaged sites of historical and cultural value, including the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and the Kharkiv Art Museum. UNESCO reports over 530 cultural sites in Ukraine damaged since the full-scale invasion began.

International Context and Statements

"Diplomacy and negotiation, not more bloodshed, are the only answer." — US Deputy Representative Den Negri

  • United States: The United States at the UN Security Council stated that Russia's window for improving its position in Ukraine is narrowing. US Deputy Representative Den Negri said: "Diplomacy and negotiation, not more bloodshed, are the only answer." The US accused Russia of escalating the conflict, specifically citing the launch of the Oreshnik missile.
  • United Kingdom: UK Chargé d’Affaires James Kariuki stated at the UN Security Council that Russian attacks appear aimed at erasing Ukrainian identity and culture.
  • Ukraine: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha characterized the Oreshnik missile strike near the EU and NATO border as "a grave threat to the security on the European continent" and called for strong responses.
  • Russia: Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia stated that military operations would continue until Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agrees to "realistic conditions for negotiations." Russia's Defense Ministry stated the Oreshnik attacks were a response to an alleged Ukrainian drone strike on President Putin's residence.
  • UN: UN officials reported that Russian attacks caused civilian casualties and disrupted essential services in Ukraine.