Ukraine Strikes Second Russian Oil Refinery in Days Amid Ongoing Drone Warfare

Ukraine's military has successfully targeted an oil refinery in the Russian town of Kstovo, approximately 800 kilometers from the eastern Ukraine front lines, marking the second such strike in a week. Four drones reportedly struck a Lukoil company depot, resulting in significant damage, with videos on social media depicting large flames rising from the facility.

Regional governor Gleb Nikitin confirmed that drone debris fell across an industrial zone, though he stated that there were no casualties. In a separate incident, Smolensk region governor Vasily Anokhin reported a "massive" drone attack on civilian infrastructure in his area, claiming that one drone was shot down while attempting to strike a nuclear power facility, although these details remain unverified.

The drone strikes in Kstovo follow a series of attacks that have also hit the Belgorod region, where a mother and her toddler were tragically killed. The ongoing conflict has seen increased Ukrainian drone activity, with Friday's assault marking one of the largest operations involving at least 121 drones aimed at Russian targets.

In response, Russia announced that it intercepted over 100 Ukrainian drones during the night, temporarily halting operations at airports in St. Petersburg and Kazan. As hostilities continue and as the third anniversary of Russia's invasion approaches, both nations are engaged in a heated exchange of drone strikes, while Russian forces make small territorial advances in eastern Ukraine.