Ukraine has struck two oil refineries deep inside Russian territory, including facilities over 700 miles from the Ukrainian border, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The strikes on the Bashneft-Novoil refinery in Russia's Bashkortostan republic and the Slavneft-Yanos refinery in Yaroslavl region aim to limit the revenues Russia uses to finance its war effort.
Zelensky stated on Thursday that the Bashneft-Novoil refinery was approximately 1,300 kilometers (808 miles) from the Ukrainian border, while the Slavneft-Yanos facility was nearly 700 kilometers (435 miles) away. "Russia must choose peace," Zelensky said, suggesting that Ukrainian attacks were "strengthening chances for diplomacy."
Videos and images shared on social media and confirmed by BBC Verify showed large plumes of smoke rising from the Yaroslavl refinery. One verified image indicated at least four fires at the site. Emergency services were reportedly working to extinguish a blaze caused by falling debris from drones. Authorities in Bashkortostan have not yet publicly commented on the alleged attack on the Bashneft-Novoil refinery, which reportedly occurred on August 5.
Energy infrastructure in the Yaroslavl region has been a repeated target of Ukrainian attacks. In addition to the refinery strikes, Zelensky also reported that "two military patrol boats and shadow fleet vessels were hit" in the Black Sea, referring to tankers allegedly used by Russia for illicit oil exports.
Both Russia and Ukraine have escalated attacks on cities, energy facilities, and warehouses in recent weeks. This intensified activity occurs as the front line remains largely static and mediation efforts to end the conflict have yielded no significant breakthroughs since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.