Volodymyr Zelenskyy reports Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and strategic aviation facilities
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian drones have struck several key Russian energy and aviation facilities, including three oil refineries in the Bashkortostan republic and a major refinery in the Saratov region. These long-range strikes, which occur nearly 1,600km from the Ukrainian border, are intended to disrupt Russia's war-financing infrastructure. The administration of the Ukrainian government has also targeted the Engels airfield, a primary base for Russian strategic aviation, causing significant damage to civilian infrastructure. Simultaneously, Russian oil refining levels fell to a 20-year low in July, a result of intensified Ukrainian drone campaigns targeting refineries, tankers, and pipelines. While Russia has attempted to redirect oil flows, limited storage and pipeline capacity have constrained its ability to compensate for these disruptions. In response to these energy strikes, Russia has also targeted Ukrainian ports and postal terminals, while Ukraine continues to request more Patriot missiles to bolster its air defense against the ongoing ballistic missile barrage.