Ukraine’s Long-Range Sanctions Hit Two Russian Refineries, Patrol Boats, and Shadow Fleet

Ukraine struck two major Russian oil refineries, military patrol boats, and vessels linked to Moscow’s shadow fleet in a new series of long-range operations aimed at cutting the energy revenues financing Russia’s war of aggression, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on August 6.

“Today, our long-range sanctions once again worked to limit Russia’s oil revenues, which it uses to finance the war and the killing of Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy said.

Ukrainian forces hit the Bashneft-Novoil refinery in Russia’s Bashkortostan region, more than 1,300 kilometers—about 810 miles—from the front line.

“Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck the aggressor’s facilities more than 1,300 kilometers from the front line. The Bashneft-Novoil refinery was hit in Bashkortostan,” Zelenskyy said.

Preliminary information from Ukraine’s General Staff indicated that the strike damaged a combined processing unit and the L-35-11/1000 catalytic reforming unit. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

Ukraine also struck the Slavneft-YANOS refinery in Russia’s Yaroslavl region, nearly 700 kilometers—about 435 miles—from the Ukrainian border.

“In the Yaroslavl region, nearly 700 kilometers from our border, the Slavneft-YANOS refinery was hit,” Zelenskyy said.

The operation extended into the Black Sea, where Ukrainian forces reportedly struck two Russian military patrol boats and vessels used by the shadow fleet.

“Our responses to Russian aggression in the Black Sea were also successful. In particular, two military patrol boats and shadow fleet vessels were struck,” Zelenskyy said.

Russia’s shadow fleet consists of vessels used to transport oil while bypassing international sanctions and restrictions. Targeting those ships alongside refineries places pressure on both the production and export sides of Moscow’s oil industry.

Zelenskyy thanked the Ukrainian units involved for steadily expanding the country’s long-range strike capabilities.

“I thank all the warriors of the Defense Forces who are systematically expanding our long-range capabilities and thereby increasing the chances for diplomacy,” he said.

“Russia must choose peace.”

Earlier, Ukraine’s Security Service published its first full tally of a 40-day campaign of long-range and frontline operations against Russia, reporting more than 100 strikes on strategic targets and over 21,000 Russian losses at the front.

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