In a dramatic escalation of cross-border attacks, Ukrainian drones launched a series of overnight strikes that killed at least three people in different Russian regions and triggered a large fire at a key oil refinery in central Russia.
Civilian Casualties Reported Across Russia
Officials across multiple Russian regions confirmed the deadly consequences of the strikes. In Penza, a drone hit an industrial site, killing a woman and injuring two others. Governor Oleg Melnichenko shared the update on Telegram, noting the facility’s strategic importance to Russia’s industrial sector.
Meanwhile, in the Samara region, falling drone debris caused a residential fire, leading to the death of an elderly man inside his home. Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev confirmed the fatality in an early morning statement.
A third casualty was reported in the Rostov region, where a security guard died after an industrial building was struck, resulting in a blaze. Rostov’s acting Governor Yury Slyusar revealed that the military intercepted several drones in the region overnight, successfully neutralizing threats across seven districts.
Oil Infrastructure Targeted in Precision Attacks
Ukraine’s military claimed responsibility for targeting the Ryazan oil refinery, a major energy facility in central Russia. The strike ignited a fire on the site, though the extent of the damage remains unclear. Ukrainian officials said the strike was part of a broader effort to undermine Russia’s war logistics.
In addition, Ukrainian forces reportedly hit the Annanefteprodukt oil storage depot in the Voronezh region. Though no specific method was mentioned, Ukrainian drone units are well-known for conducting long-range attacks with kamikaze-style drones that carry explosive payloads over vast distances.
SBU Hits Strategic Military Sites
Ukraine’s intelligence service, the SBU, also carried out high-value strikes, including a drone assault on Russia’s Primorsko-Akhtarsk airfield. This base is reportedly used to launch drone attacks on Ukrainian targets and its temporary disruption could mark a tactical advantage for Kyiv.
The SBU further claimed to have targeted a factory in Penza that manufactures electronics for Russia’s military-industrial complex, underlining the growing reach and precision of Ukraine’s drone warfare capabilities.
Russia Responds with Defensive Claims
In response, Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces shot down 338 Ukrainian drones overnight, marking one of the highest single-day interception claims since the war began. Despite the scale of the interceptions, the strikes still inflicted damage and casualties, raising concerns about vulnerabilities in Russia’s defense systems.
The ministry also stated that Russian troops had taken control of Oleksandro-Kalynove, a village in the contested Donetsk region. Russia now holds roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory in the east and south, following more than three years of brutal warfare.
Ukrainian Region Also Hit
Russia also launched attacks of its own. In Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, three civilians were injured in a separate drone strike overnight, according to regional Governor Serhiy Lysak. Several homes, vehicles, and buildings sustained damage in the assault.
Kyiv officials continue to deny any significant Russian presence in that region, but tensions remain high on both sides.
International Diplomacy Stalled Amid Rising Tensions
The surge in cross-border attacks comes amid faint hopes for renewed diplomacy. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that two American nuclear submarines had been moved to “appropriate regions” in response to nuclear warnings from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Trump’s remarks signal a sharp rise in international stakes as nuclear rhetoric becomes increasingly common.
Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to push for peace negotiations. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, known for his connections with Russian officials, is expected in Moscow to explore truce possibilities. Yet substantial talks remain elusive.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated on Friday that a meeting between leaders is essential for peace, emphasizing that only Russian President Vladimir Putin can end the war. He urged for immediate, high-level dialogue, supported by the United States.
“Ukraine supports moving from technical-level discussions to direct talks between leaders,” Zelenskyy said on social platform X. “The only question is whether Russia is ready.”
Putin’s Position Remains Unchanged
Despite international pressure, President Putin continues to reject any calls for a ceasefire. He insists that peace will only come if Ukraine gives up its claims to certain territories and abandons plans to join NATO — conditions Kyiv deems unacceptable.
As the war grinds into its fourth year with no clear end in sight, the latest drone attacks underscore the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by Ukraine and the growing vulnerability of critical infrastructure deep inside Russia.
