Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s Volgograd oil refinery overnight, causing a fire at the Lukoil-operated facility, according to local media. This incident follows a pattern of Ukrainian strikes targeting Russian energy infrastructure, which Kyiv views as legitimate military targets funding Moscow’s war. Recent attacks include the use of Neptune missiles and HIMARS in Bryansk Oblast and the disabling of communication infrastructure in Belgorod Oblast by a pro-Ukrainian partisan group. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported shooting down numerous drones across several regions.
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Ukrainian drones, operated by the SBU’s Alpha special forces, successfully struck the Redkino Experimental Plant in Tver Oblast, a facility crucial for manufacturing fuel components for Russian Kh-55 and Kh-101 cruise missiles. The strike, which reportedly caused a large fire, targeted the plant’s production of Decilin-M rocket fuel and other fuel additives. This operation is part of a broader Ukrainian effort to systematically disrupt Russia’s military-industrial complex and diminish its capacity for missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
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Overnight on December 31, Ukrainian drone strikes caused significant damage to Russian oil and weapons facilities. The attacks targeted the Tuapse Oil Refinery, the Tamanneftegaz oil terminal, a Rosreserv oil depot, a temporary military base for river boats, and ammunition depots in occupied Ukraine. The strikes on the Tuapse refinery caused a fire and damaged key processing units, while the Tamanneftegaz terminal saw damage to two berths. Ukrainian forces also successfully struck the Rosreserv oil depot and several military targets in occupied territories. These actions exemplify the escalation of Ukrainian drone warfare against Russian infrastructure throughout 2025.
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On December 22nd, Ukrainian drones targeted the Tamanneftegaz oil terminal in Volna, Krasnodar Krai, resulting in damage to equipment, the liquefied hydrocarbon gas pier, and port infrastructure, which caused a large-scale fire. The attack also damaged a pipeline, two berths, and two ships, with the fire spreading over a vast area, including a ship and the tank farm area. This oil terminal, one of the largest in the Black Sea region, handles crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied hydrocarbon gases. This attack is part of a pattern of Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities aimed at disrupting military logistics.
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On December 17th, Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed a drone attack targeting the Slavyansk oil refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban, Russia, a facility involved in supplying Russian forces. The attack resulted in explosions and a fire, with damage assessment ongoing. Following the strike, two high-voltage power lines were damaged, leading to widespread blackouts and injuries from falling debris, while Russia reported shooting down numerous Ukrainian drones in the area. This attack is part of a series of Ukrainian strikes against Russian military and energy infrastructure, aimed at reducing Moscow’s war capabilities.
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On the evening of December 14th, unidentified drones targeted the Moscow region, prompting reports of explosions and social media footage capturing both the drones and the blasts. While Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin remained silent, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted 56 drones across multiple regions, including two over the Moscow region. This incident follows similar drone activity on December 11th and November 30th, leading to temporary airport closures and heightened security measures. No official comments regarding the impact on Moscow have been made.
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The 429th Separate Drone Regiment “Achilles” announced the destruction of a pipeline used by Russian forces to infiltrate the front-line town of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, deeming it a crucial logistical channel. This operation, conducted in conjunction with other Ukrainian units, aimed to disrupt the Russian forces’ ability to reinforce and resupply. The “Achilles” regiment has been actively engaged in the Kupiansk sector since April, claiming to have inflicted significant casualties on Russian troops. This action directly followed reports of a successful Ukrainian counterattack north of Kupiansk, challenging Russia’s claims of capturing the town.
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Multiple explosions were reported on December 13th at various sites within Russia and occupied Crimea, including an oil depot near Simferopol, a chemical plant in Veliky Novgorod, and several energy sites. Reports indicate drone strikes targeted an oil depot near Uryupinsk, Volgograd Oblast, and a power station in Smolensk. The Ukrainian military has not yet commented on the attacks, however, Ukraine has previously targeted Russian military and energy infrastructure, which is considered a critical source of funding for the ongoing war. These recent events follow confirmed drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, highlighting Ukraine’s efforts to diminish Moscow’s fighting capabilities.
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Ukraine has conducted its first-ever strike on Russia’s offshore oil infrastructure, disabling the Filanovsky platform in the Caspian Sea. Operated by the SBU’s “Alpha” unit, the long-range drone attack resulted in at least four impacts, halting oil and gas production from over 20 wells on the platform. The targeted platform, a key asset of Lukoil-Nizhnevolzhskneft, holds significant reserves and exports through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. This unprecedented strike, far from the front lines, signifies Ukraine’s growing ability to target Russian infrastructure that supports its war effort.
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On December 5, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) launched a drone strike on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal within Russia’s Temryuk Seaport, resulting in a three-day fire. The SBU’s Alpha special operations unit conducted the attack, targeting the Maktren-Nafta production facilities. The strike destroyed roughly 70% of the facility’s fuel tanks, along with railway tankers and related infrastructure. This operation aligns with the SBU’s ongoing efforts to cripple Russia’s oil and gas infrastructure, which supports the war against Ukraine.
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John Q. Hosedrinker