Drone Wave Hits Moscow, Rostov Defense Industry Zone and Major Russian Refineries

Drone attacks overnight triggered explosions, fires, and airport disruptions across multiple regions of Russia, including Moscow, Yaroslavl, Rostov-on-Don, and Perm, as Russian authorities claimed to have intercepted 264 UAVs.

Flights were temporarily restricted at Moscow’s Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports due to the drone threat, while fires broke out at industrial and oil-processing facilities hundreds of kilometers apart.

Yaroslavl oil refinery hit

Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian forces struck an oil-sector facility in Yaroslavl, located more than 700 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.

“Yaroslavl, more than 700 kilometers from Ukraine’s state border. An oil sector facility that was of great importance for financing Russia’s war,” Zelenskyy said.

“I thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine and our military intelligence for this manifestation of justice. Ukraine’s long-range sanctions continued in response to Russian strikes on our cities and villages. Russia must choose genuine peace, and only strong pressure will ensure that.”

According to Ukrainian drone forces commander Robert Brovdi, the target was the Slavneft-YANOS refinery — one of the largest oil-processing facilities in Russia.

“YANOS oil refinery in Yaroslavl is burning. Birds of the 1st Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces worked the target jointly with HUR. Yaroslavnefteorgsintez is the fifth-largest refinery in the swamps,” Brovdi wrote.

Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces said the refinery has a projected processing capacity of 15 million tons of oil annually and produces gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation kerosene, jet fuel, and other petroleum products.

Officials said a fire broke out on the refinery grounds following the strike, while the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

Rostov industrial zone ablaze

In Rostov-on-Don, explosions and a large fire were reported in an industrial area overnight, according to Russian media Astra and OSINT community Exilenova+.

Preliminary reports suggested the strike may have affected the Empils paint and chemical plant and a branch of the Radar Scientific and Technical Center, a company linked to Russia’s defense industry.

Empils is considered one of the largest paint and coatings manufacturers in southern Russia and the country’s biggest zinc oxide producer.

The Radar center, meanwhile, specializes in the development and servicing of specialized military systems.

Moscow airports restrict flights

Russian authorities temporarily restricted operations at Moscow’s Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports as drones approached the capital overnight.

Residents reported hearing explosions and air defense activity around Moscow during the attack wave, though no confirmed strike targets in the city itself were officially announced.

Perm refinery hit again

Separately, Astra reported that drones struck the Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez refinery in Perm for the third time in nine days.

The refinery is one of the largest in Russia, processing more than 13 million tons of oil annually.

Local authorities confirmed an attack on “one of the industrial enterprises” without naming the facility directly. A fire reportedly broke out at the site afterward, with smoke visible from long distances.

The plant produces gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, lubricants, and other petroleum products, while also processing associated petroleum gas.

Permnefteorgsintez is considered one of the key industrial assets in the Perm region and among the most technologically advanced refineries in Russia.

Earlier, Zelenskyy stated that Russia is not seriously considering a ceasefire and remains focused solely on safeguarding its Victory Day parade in Moscow.

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