Ukrainian Drones Hit Heart of Russia’s Fuel Supply as Fires Break Out at Major Refinery, Video

Ukrainian security forces have carried out another long-range drone strike targeting Russia’s oil infrastructure, hitting one of the country’s largest refineries in the city of Perm for a second consecutive day, according to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on April 30.

Drones operated by a special operations unit struck the Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez facility, located more than 1,500 kilometers (about 930 miles) from Ukraine.

The refinery is a major industrial site with an annual processing capacity of nearly 13 million tons, supplying fuel for both civilian use and Russia’s military.

SBU reports that the attack hit the AVT-4 primary oil processing unit, a critical component of the refinery’s operations. The strike reportedly ignited both vacuum and atmospheric distillation columns—damage that could significantly disrupt the facility’s functionality.

In addition to the refinery itself, Ukrainian drones also targeted the Perm production and dispatch station responsible for supplying crude oil to the plant. This marks a repeat strike on the same infrastructure, following a previous attack a day earlier. New fires were reported at the site after the latest strike.

“[Russia] must understand a simple fact: it no longer has a ‘safe rear.’ Distance no longer guarantees protection—every region where enterprises support the war against Ukraine is within reach,” a source familiar with the operation said.

Separate reports from the OSINT community Exilenova+ indicated that Ukrainian “Lyutyi” strike drones were used in the attack. Residents shared videos and photos online showing drones flying overhead and fires burning at the industrial site.

Regional authorities confirmed a drone strike on “one of the industrial facilities” in Perm Krai but did not name the specific target.

The refinery produces a wide range of petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation kerosene, and lubricants, and is considered one of the most technologically advanced facilities in Russia’s refining sector. It also processes associated petroleum gas and plays a key role in supplying both domestic and export markets.

Earlier, reports emerged that Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces accounted for roughly one-third of all enemy targets destroyed, despite making up only about 2% of the country’s armed forces.

“Territory 1,500 to 2,000 kilometers inside Russia is no longer a ‘peaceful rear.’ The freedom-loving Ukrainian ‘bird’ flies there whenever and wherever it wants,” the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces said.

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