A Ukrainian drone has struck one of Russia’s largest oil-refining complexes, igniting a fire and causing minor damage, according to Russian officials. The incident took place on Saturday at the Bashneft refinery on the outskirts of Ufa, the capital of the Bashkortostan region, located approximately 870 miles (1,400km) from the front line in Ukraine.
Footage circulating on social media appeared to show a drone approaching the facility before exploding in a fireball, sending thick smoke into the sky. The authenticity of the videos has not been independently verified, but they were widely shared by Russian and Ukrainian channels.
Radiy Khabirov, the head of Bashkortostan, confirmed the attack in a statement on Telegram. “Today, Bashneft’s facility was subjected to a terrorist attack by aircraft-type drones,” he said. According to Khabirov, one drone struck the refinery while another was intercepted and destroyed by air defences.
“There were no casualties or injuries. The production site sustained minor damage, and a fire broke out, which is currently being extinguished,” he added. Emergency services were deployed to contain the blaze, and local authorities reported that operations at the plant were continuing under heightened security measures.
A source within Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency claimed responsibility for the strike, framing it as part of Kyiv’s ongoing campaign to disrupt Russia’s energy infrastructure. Since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukrainian forces have increasingly targeted oil refineries, fuel depots and other facilities deep inside Russian territory.
These attacks are intended to undermine the Kremlin’s ability to finance the war effort by reducing refining capacity and disrupting fuel supplies. Over the summer, a series of Ukrainian strikes on refineries in southern and central Russia temporarily halted production at several plants, contributing to a rise in domestic fuel prices.
The Bashneft refinery in Ufa is a key asset in Russia’s energy sector. In 2016, the Kremlin described it as “one of the largest in the country”, noting that it produces more than 150 different oil products, including petrol, diesel, jet fuel and lubricants. The facility plays a significant role in supplying fuel to both civilian markets and the Russian military.
Ukrainian drone attacks incessant on Russian territory
While Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory have become more frequent over the past year, the strike on Ufa is notable for the distance involved. The city lies far from the Ukrainian border, underscoring Kyiv’s growing ability to conduct long-range operations. Military analysts have suggested that such attacks serve both a strategic and psychological purpose, demonstrating vulnerabilities in Russia’s air defences and forcing Moscow to divert resources away from the front.
Russia has repeatedly condemned these strikes as acts of terrorism, accusing Ukraine of targeting civilian infrastructure. Kyiv, however, maintains that oil refineries and fuel depots are legitimate military objectives, given their role in sustaining Russian military operations.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions along the front line, with both sides engaged in intensified drone warfare. Ukraine has invested heavily in developing and deploying long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, while Russia has expanded its use of Iranian-designed Shahed drones and domestically produced systems.
In recent months, Ukrainian officials have signalled that attacks on Russian energy infrastructure will continue as part of a broader strategy to weaken Moscow’s war economy. The GUR has previously stated that such operations are aimed at “reducing the enemy’s capacity to wage war” and will be carried out “as long as necessary”.
Russian authorities have sought to reassure the public that the country’s energy supply remains stable despite the strikes. However, industry experts warn that repeated attacks on major refineries could have a cumulative impact on production and distribution, particularly if repair work is delayed or if multiple facilities are hit in quick succession.
Saturday’s strike on the Bashneft refinery is the latest in a series of incidents highlighting the expanding geographical scope of the conflict. As Ukraine continues to push its military capabilities deeper into Russian territory, the risk of further escalation remains high.
For now, the damage in Ufa appears limited, but the attack underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure far from the battlefield and signals that the war’s reach is extending ever further into the Russian heartland.
