War-Ukraine Intensifies Pressure on Russian Fuel Network Amid Escalating Drone Campaign
War- Ukraine significantly expanded its long-range drone campaign against Russian energy infrastructure, triggering fresh damage at key oil facilities and adding pressure to Moscow’s fuel supply system as the conflict entered its fifth year.
Ukraine Expands Long-Range Drone Operations
Ukraine has intensified its campaign targeting Russia’s military-related energy facilities, with fresh drone strikes hitting major oil infrastructure deep inside Russian territory. The attacks are aimed at weakening the financial and logistical resources that support Moscow’s military operations while increasing the economic impact felt across Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the latest overnight operation struck two Russian oil refineries. Writing on Telegram, he stated that every successful attack reduces the resources available for Russia’s military campaign and brings the prospect of peace a step closer.
Putin Acknowledges Fuel Supply Challenges
For the first time since Ukraine’s attacks on Russian energy facilities accelerated, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly admitted that the country is experiencing a fuel shortage. While describing the situation as temporary, he pledged stronger protection for strategic oil infrastructure, increased fuel production, faster repairs at damaged facilities, and additional fuel imports to stabilize supplies.
Putin maintained that Ukrainian attacks were intended to create internal pressure within Russia and influence the course of military operations. He argued that the strikes had failed to alter battlefield conditions despite their impact on energy infrastructure.
Moscow Rejects Ukrainian Negotiation Proposal
During remarks broadcast on Russian state television, Putin claimed Ukraine had suggested limiting long-range attacks because Russian strikes inside Ukrainian territory were causing greater destruction. He also said Kyiv proposed restricting combat to the four Ukrainian regions that Russia claims to have annexed but does not fully control.
According to Putin, Moscow rejected the proposal, arguing that such an arrangement would allow Ukrainian forces to redeploy troops from other fronts and strengthen their defensive positions in the contested southeastern regions.
Fire Breaks Out at Southern Russian Oil Refinery
Russian officials confirmed that falling debris from intercepted Ukrainian drones caused a large fire at an oil refinery in Slavyansk-na-Kubani in the Krasnodar region. Local authorities reported that one person died while another was injured in a nearby village during the incident.
The refinery is considered one of southern Russia’s important processing facilities, handling millions of tons of crude oil annually and supplying petroleum products for export through Black Sea ports.
Zelenskyy also stated that another refinery in Russia’s Yaroslavl region was targeted during the same wave of overnight strikes. Russian authorities did not immediately confirm damage at that site, although temporary road closures were reported because of drone activity.
Fuel Shortages Spread Across Russia
Ukraine has steadily increased attacks on Russian energy infrastructure over recent months, seeking to disrupt fuel production and supply chains. The strategy has contributed to shortages in several regions, with long queues appearing at fuel stations and local governments introducing purchase limits.
Crimea has faced additional pressure after supply routes were disrupted, prompting restrictions on gasoline sales to civilians. Putin assured officials that fuel deliveries to the peninsula would increase through both land and maritime routes to ease shortages.
Meanwhile, authorities in Russia’s Irkutsk region introduced limits allowing motorists to purchase no more than 50 liters of fuel per vehicle each day at state-operated Rosneft filling stations. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak also confirmed that fuel export agreements are under review to prioritize domestic demand.
Fresh Drone and Missile Attacks Continue
The fighting extended beyond energy infrastructure as both countries reported new attacks overnight. Ukrainian officials said a Russian aerial bomb struck the city of Zaporizhzhia, killing two people and injuring sixteen others, including children.
In Russia’s Belgorod region, local authorities reported one death and another injury following Ukrainian drone strikes near the border.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defense systems intercepted 213 Ukrainian drones overnight across Russian territory, occupied Crimea, and the Black and Azov seas. Ukraine’s air force, meanwhile, reported that Russia launched 142 long-range drones and eight missiles, claiming that most of the incoming weapons were successfully intercepted before reaching their targets.