Ukrainian forces have intensified their attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, striking two major refineries in overnight raids as part of Kyiv's strategy to inflict economic and military costs on Moscow. The strikes targeted a Lukoil refinery in the Perm region and another in Ryazan, according to statements from Ukraine's Security Service and General Staff. These facilities have a combined annual production capacity of approximately 220 million barrels of oil and are crucial to Russia's war effort and government revenue.
These attacks follow a series of recent Ukrainian long-range drone and missile strikes, which have battered Russian oil facilities for months and contributed to a fuel crisis impacting the Kremlin. While Russia possesses sophisticated air defenses, its vast territory presents challenges for comprehensive coverage.
Meanwhile, Russia's defense ministry claimed its forces struck two vessels near Odesa that it alleged were carrying weapons and military equipment to Ukrainian ports. The ministry also stated that Russian forces hit a fuel storage facility in Odesa, two additional vessels in the port of Pivdennyi, and another vessel northwest of Zmiinyi (Snake) Island in the Black Sea. Russia asserts, without providing evidence, that these vessels were involved in transporting military supplies to Ukraine.
The simultaneous escalation of attacks in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov has contributed to rising wheat prices. Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces reported that its drones had struck 201 Russian shadow-fleet and associated vessels since the launch of Operation MoLoCHKa on July 6.
The developments occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Washington for discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump, aiming to secure continued American assistance for Ukraine's defense. Zelensky emphasized the need for Russia to face increasing costs for its ongoing invasion, stating on social media, "We need to weaken the aggressor and keep up the pressure to bring an end to this war closer."
Ukraine's recent successes have reportedly bolstered goodwill in Washington, following earlier hesitations from the Trump administration regarding sustained support for Kyiv. This support is seen as crucial to preventing Ukraine and Europe from confronting Russian aggression alone.
In a separate incident, the director and founder of a Russian drone manufacturer, Andrei Cherezov, was reportedly wounded in an attempted shooting in Tula. Cherezov, head of the Russian Air Transport Laboratory, is associated with the development of combat drones used by the Russian army. Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the incident, with Cherezov hospitalized. Ukraine has not commented on the attack.