Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Saturday that Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Tyumen Region, over 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) from Ukraine. He also stated that Ukraine has developed drones capable of operating over 3,000 kilometers. The attack targeted an oil refining facility, part of Ukraine’s ongoing campaign to disrupt Russia’s war funding. Russian authorities, including Tyumen Governor Alexander Moor, claimed air defenses repelled the drone attack.
Meanwhile, Russia launched overnight strikes on Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv, and targeted cultural sites like the 11th-century Pechersk monastery in Kyiv. Zelensky condemned the attacks as crimes against Christian culture. Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed concerns about Ukraine’s drone strikes, asserting his troops hold a strategic advantage. However, his deputy, Dmitry Medvedev, suggested Russia may abandon rules of war, raising fears of nuclear escalation.
Ukraine’s drone attacks have increasingly targeted Russian infrastructure, including a recent strike on an oil refinery in Moscow. The attacks have forced evacuations and sparked fires, with residents reporting black rain. Moscow’s authorities denied the reports but advised vulnerable residents to leave affected areas. Putin’s government has faced criticism for its handling of the war, with reports of high Russian casualties and stalled ground offensives.