A major Ukrainian drone attack targeted a key Russian oil hub, delivering another blow to fuel-starved Russia as a massive drone swarm hit an industrial enterprise in the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast overnight, according to governor Gleb Nikitin.
"More than 100 drones were destroyed," and "according to preliminary information, there are no casualties," Nikitin added.
Images show the facility engulfed in flames with a thick blanket of dark smoke drifting across the region. Ukraine described the targeted facility as "one of Russia's largest oil refineries, producing fuel and lubricants."
Moscow stated on Friday that Ukraine resumed strikes on Kremlin oil refineries following a multi-day pause. Senior Russian official Alexander Novak confirmed that Kyiv hit three oil refineries and one gas-chemical complex.
Ukraine has frequently targeted Russian oil and gas installations in retaliation for attacks on its own energy grid. Donald Trump previously pressured Kyiv to halt these strikes over rising diesel prices, while Elon Musk briefly restricted satellite internet speeds for Ukrainian terminals after accusing Volodymyr Zelensky of violating Starlink terms of service.
This assault follows recent Ukrainian drone swarms that battered a military aircraft plant in Voronezh where presidential planes are constructed. Governor Alexander Gusev reported that three people were killed and 17 injured, with over 70 drones shot down over Voronezh during strikes that also hit a chemical plant, a business centre, and the Northern Bridge.
Earlier, Ukraine used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to hit the Proton-Electrotex war factory in Russia.
