Ukrainian forces strike oil refineries, fuel depot, military-industrial plants in Russia

Ukraine's General Staff report

On the night of August 2, Ukraine’s Defense Forces carried out successful strikes on several facilities in Russia directly involved in sustaining the Kremlin’s armed aggression against Ukraine. The attacks were in retaliation for Russia’s terror shelling of Ukrainian cities, which killed and wounded civilians, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

Confirmed targets included:

• Ryazan and Novokuibyshevsk oil refineries
• The “Anna Naftoprodukt” fuel and lubricant depot in Russia’s Voronezh region
• PJSC “Penza Electrodevice Production Association,” which manufactures telecommunications systems, encrypted communication tools, and military equipment components

The strikes caused explosions and large-scale fires at the sites. Final damage assessments are still underway.

The operation was carried out by Ukraine’s Drone System Forces, Special Operations Forces (SOF), the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense (HUR).

The General Staff emphasized that systematic destruction of infrastructure supporting the Russian military will continue until Russia’s armed aggression is halted. These strikes, it noted, are a lawful response to the genocide being committed by the Russian regime.

What Russian officials say

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that on the night of August 2, its air defense allegedly destroyed 112 drones: 34 over Rostov region, 31 over Krasnodar Krai, 12 over Voronezh region, 11 over Ryazan region, 4 over Penza region, 2 over Belgorod region, and one drone each over annexed Crimea and Lipetsk region.

Lipetsk

At least four explosions were heard in Lipetsk overnight. Locals said an air raid siren went off beforehand, followed by apparent activation of air defense systems.

Eyewitnesses shared videos showing the moment of the drone attack and the explosions. It was reported that a military airfield may have been targeted.

Ryazan

The city was hit by drones, followed by a fire outbreak. The likely source of the fire was an oil refinery. According to the Baza channel, explosions were heard near the Dyagilevo military airfield.

Crimea

In temporarily occupied Crimea, the Crimean Bridge was closed for over three hours.

A series of explosions was heard in Feodosia, and a fire broke out near a local oil depot. Eyewitnesses said the city was attacked by drones for several hours.

Taganrog, Rostov Region

Around 12:34 a.m. Kyiv time, more than five explosions were heard in the Taganrog area. Witnesses reported flashes in the sky and air defense activity.

Voronezh Region

In the village of Anna, a drone damaged a kindergarten building. The windows of an office building were also affected.

Samara Region

At 02:40 a.m., a drone strike threat alert was declared. Civil aviation flights were temporarily restricted in Samara.

Around 05:00 a.m., loud sounds were reported in the city of Novokuybyshevsk. Telegram channels posted videos of drone strikes on the Novokuybyshevsk oil refinery.

Penza

At least five to eight explosions were heard in the city. According to locals, one drone was shot down over a forest, leaving a cloud of smoke in the air.

Eyewitnesses recorded a strike on JSC Electropribor Production Association, a defense-related enterprise producing communication crypto-protection, switches, and equipment for armored vehicles, ships, aircraft, and secure communications. The Penza Radio Plant was also reportedly hit by drones.

• On the night of Friday, August 1, Russia claimed a drone attack and reported air defense activity in Taganrog.