**Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Refinery**
Drones operated by Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces have attacked an oil refinery in Russia’s Ryazan Oblast. This is the third time since January 2025 that drones have targeted the facility.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on February 24 that five explosions were heard near the Ryazan Oil Refining Company’s primary oil processing facility. A fire broke out, but no one was injured. The full consequences of the attack are still being determined.
**Why is this a target?**
Kyiv considers oil refineries to be valid military targets because profits from the fossil fuel industry fund Russia’s war machine. Ukraine’s forces believe that by targeting these facilities, they can weaken Russia’s ability to wage war.
The Ryazan Oil Refinery is one of Russia’s five largest oil refining facilities. It has a capacity of 17.1 million metric tons of oil per year and supplies fuel to the Russian army’s strategic long-range aviation.
**Previous attacks**
This is not the first time Ukraine has targeted the Ryazan Oil Refinery. The facility was previously struck on January 24 and 26, with drones causing damage that forced it to suspend operations.
