MOSCOW, July 7 — Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian oil refineries have become a sustained campaign, with attacks documented across multiple regions between January 2024 and March 2025, according to official statements and open-source records. The first confirmed strike in the current escalation occurred on January 21, 2024, when a drone hit the Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Rostov Oblast. Days later, on January 25, the Tuapse refinery in Krasnodar Krai was struck.
These facilities process crude oil into fuel products that supply both civilian markets and the Russian armed forces.
Strategic Targeting and Drone Capabilities
The attacks continued through spring 2024. On March 12, the Ryazan Oil Refining Company came under drone attack. The following day, March 13, the Novokuibyshevsk refinery in Samara Oblast was targeted.
On April 2, the Taneco refinery in Tatarstan was hit for the first time. On May 9, the Slavneft-Yaroslavl refinery was attacked.
The pattern reveals a deliberate strategy. According to the record of events, these strikes are part of Ukraine’s effort to reduce Russia’s oil export revenue and disrupt fuel supplies to the Russian military. The drones used include the Ukrainian-made UJ-22 Airborne and the PD-2, with ranges up to 1,000 kilometers, allowing them to reach deep into Russian territory.
Renewed Strikes in 2025
The campaign did not end in 2024. On March 24, 2025, the Taneco refinery in Tatarstan was struck again, this time causing a fire. The Taneco facility has now been hit twice in the span of nearly a year.
Officials have not confirmed the full extent of damage from these strikes. The strategic context is clear, however.
By targeting refineries, Ukraine aims to impose costs on Russia’s energy sector, which remains a primary source of revenue for the federal budget. The attacks also seek to strain fuel logistics for Russian military operations.
Geographic Reach and Implications
The geographic spread of the strikes is notable. Rostov Oblast, Krasnodar Krai, Ryazan, Samara Oblast, Tatarstan, and Yaroslavl have all been affected. This range demonstrates the operational reach of Ukraine’s drone program, which has moved beyond border regions to strike facilities deep inside Russia.
The Novoshakhtinsk refinery, located near the Ukrainian border, was the first hit. The Tuapse refinery on the Black Sea coast followed.
The Ryazan refinery, southeast of Moscow, and the Novokuibyshevsk refinery in the Volga region show the campaign’s expanding scope. The Taneco strikes in Tatarstan, deep in the Volga-Ural region, represent the farthest penetration.
What to Watch Next
The record shows no letup in the pace of attacks through the period documented. Whether the campaign will continue at its current intensity remains an open question. The drones used — the UJ-22 Airborne and PD-2 — are domestically produced Ukrainian systems, suggesting Ukraine has the industrial capacity to sustain such operations.
The strategic calculus for both sides is straightforward. For Ukraine, each successful strike reduces Russia’s refining capacity and export earnings.
For Russia, defending a sprawling network of refineries across thousands of kilometers presents a formidable challenge. The coming months will show whether either side can shift this dynamic.
