Ukrainian drones hit the Saratov Oil Refinery and a petrochemical plant in Tatarstan overnight on July 8, and President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed both strikes.
“Ukraine is quite rightly responding to Russia for its attacks on our country and for prolonging the war,” he said in a social media post. The drones flew the same night Russia hit Kyiv with ballistic missiles for the third time in six days.
Saratov lies about 460 kilometers (285 miles) east of the Ukrainian border, near Luhansk Oblast. Governor Roman Busargin said earlier in the night that Russia’s Defense Ministry had warned of a drone threat. The Tatarstan target was in Nizhnekamsk, where a petrochemical plant was struck, Exilenova Plus reported first.
Missiles and tankers
The refinery attacks were not the only action. Ukrainian missiles hit Belgorod Airport and a natural gas pipeline operations facility, and Belgorod Oblast recorded a blackout overnight on July 7, according to local authorities and social media channels. Governor Alexander Shuvaev confirmed that “Belgorod and the Belgorod district were subjected to a massive missile attack by Ukraine’s Armed Forces last night.” He did not say which infrastructure was reportedly targeted.
Robert Brovdi, Ukraine’s top drone warfare commander, known by the callsign “Madyar,” said long-range drones hit eight Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Sea of Azov on July 7. The next day he reported another nine.
Kyiv has stepped up attacks in recent months, concentrating on Russian logistics and energy infrastructure. Ukraine regularly strikes military sites deep inside Russia and in occupied territories, aiming to reduce Moscow’s ability to keep fighting.
