On August 10, 2025, Ukrainian military intelligence confirmed a targeted drone attack on the Lukoil-Ukhta refinery located in the Komi Republic of Russia, approximately 2,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, an operation that marks a significant escalation in Ukraine’s capability to strike deep within Russian territory. The attack was verified by a source within Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR), confirming earlier reports from Russian local officials and media regarding the drone strike and its impact.
The refinery, situated in the town of Ukhta, is a critical supplier of fuel and lubricants to Russian military forces. It processes blended crudes brought from oilfields throughout the Komi region via the Usa-Ukhta pipeline. According to HUR, the attack was part of a specialized operation aimed at undermining Russian military logistics. The drones struck a petroleum tank, causing a spill, and also inflicted damage on a gas and gas condensate processing plant that produces propane-butane and gasoline essential for the Russian war effort.
Residents in Ukhta reported power and mobile internet outages following the strike. Local Telegram channels relayed alerts about the attack, noting the evacuation of workers at the refinery and temporary suspension of airport flights. The acting head of the Komi Republic, Rostislav Goldshteyn, confirmed the evacuation of enterprises in the drone flight path but reported no casualties, though specifics on which facilities were evacuated were not detailed.
This attack follows a similar strike on a refinery in Russia’s Saratov Oblast on the same day, underscoring Ukraine’s growing use of homemade long-range drones to disrupt Russian energy infrastructure. Western countries have refrained from lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s use of certain long-range weapons, citing concerns about escalation.
Analysts view these strikes as part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to erode Russia’s military capabilities from within its own borders by targeting vital fuel supplies.