Russia’s Newest Su-57 Fighters Failed to Stop Ukrainian Drones From Reaching Its Largest Oil Refinery

Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets reportedly failed to intercept Ukrainian long-range drones during the July 6 attack on the Omsk Oil Refinery, allowing the drones to reach and strike Russia’s largest oil refinery more than 2,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

The claim was made by Telegram channel Exilenova+, which reported that Su-57 aircraft were deployed over Omsk to engage the incoming drones. According to the channel, only one drone was intercepted, while the remaining drones reached their targets. The claims have not been independently verified.

Videos published by Exilenova+ showed multiple fires burning inside the Gazprom Neft refinery following the strike.

Omsk region governor Vitaly Khotsenko confirmed that several drones reached the city’s northern industrial district but did not specify which facilities had been hit.

According to Dnipro OSINT, the attack targeted the refinery’s ELOU-AVT-11 processing unit using upgraded FP-1 long-range drones. The analysts said the drones struck the unit’s technological columns after flying more than 2,500 kilometers from Ukraine.

Exilenova+ further claimed that the new FP-1 modification flew more than 3,400 kilometers during the mission before reaching Omsk.

The Omsk refinery processes more than 22 million tonnes of crude oil annually, accounting for roughly 10% of Russia’s refining capacity and supplying more than half of the Siberian Federal District’s motor fuel demand.

The Su-57 is Russia’s only operational fifth-generation fighter and is designed to perform air superiority, strike, and air defense missions. Moscow has repeatedly promoted the aircraft as one of its most advanced combat platforms, although it has been produced only in limited numbers.

Earlier, Russia acknowledged that its Su-57 fighter will remain in testing for years despite already being in service, with Sukhoi’s chief test pilot saying the aircraft will continue undergoing flight evaluations as new weapons and systems are integrated.

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