Ukrainian forces on Tuesday struck a major oil refinery in Russia’s Orenburg region, 1,400 kilometers from the Ukrainian frontline, in what marks the one of the deepest attack inside Russia since the start of full-fledged invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The General Staff of Ukrainian Armed forces confirmed Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the facility in Orsk city on the night leading to 11 November.
Ukraine has stepped up its drone attacks on refineries and fuel depots that support Russia’s military operations and sustain its vital oil export industry — a major source of funding for the Kremlin. Kyiv says these strikes aim to disrupt supply lines, weaken Russia’s offensive capabilities, and increase pressure on Moscow to halt its invasion. Ukraine’s Security Forces, SBU, pledged to continue strikes on Russia’s oil and gas industry facilities, which generate revenue for the enemy to wage war against Ukraine. “Such attacks undermine the aggressor’s economic potential, reduce its oil profits, and complicate logistics for supplying its army," a source withing the agency said.
The plant in Orenburg produces more than 30 types of petroleum products — including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and lubricants — and has an annual processing capacity of 6.6 million tons. It also reportedly supplies Russian occupation forces. Explosions and a subsequent fire were reported at the site, with damage to one of the refinery’s main oil distillation units.
The strike on the Orsk refinery came shortly after confirmed Ukrainian hits on another refinery in Russia’s Saratov region earlier that same night.
