Ukrainian forces struck one of Russia’s largest oil refineries overnight, continuing a pattern of deep strikes aimed at intensifying pressure on Moscow. The attack on the Ryazan refinery, located approximately 180 miles from Ukraine, reportedly started a fire and injured six people, according to regional authorities.
The strike came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with former President Donald Trump in Washington. Zelenskyy described the meeting as "good," while Trump called it a "Great Honor" and noted that "Many things were discussed" in a social media post.
Zelenskyy has been actively seeking continued economic and military aid from the United States. During his visit to Washington, he also met with bipartisan representatives from the U.S. Senate and defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. Ukraine is exploring joint production and technology exchange, particularly for advanced drone capabilities and air defense systems like the Patriot.
Kyiv has increasingly relied on domestically developed weapons for its long-range strikes against Russian energy infrastructure. These attacks have aimed to inflict economic pain on Russia and embarrass the Kremlin. Ukrainian officials have stated their goal is to "weaken the aggressor and keep up the pressure to bring an end to this war closer."
In parallel to Ukraine's strikes, Russia has continued its aerial attacks on Ukrainian territory. On Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones over various Russian regions and occupied Crimea. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported Russian attacks that killed one person in the Kherson region and wounded several others in Kharkiv and its surrounding areas.
The Ryazan refinery has an annual capacity of approximately 17 million tons of oil, producing gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation fuel. This strike adds to a series of Ukrainian operations targeting Russian industrial sites, naval bases, and logistical infrastructure.