Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a targeted strike on a Russian oil refinery in Yaroslavl during the night of May 22. This operation involved long-range drones and aimed at disrupting Russian oil processing capabilities.
According to Zelensky, the attack was part of a broader strategy to retaliate against Russian assaults on Ukrainian cities. He stated, “We are bringing the war back home to Russia, and this is entirely justified.” However, details regarding the extent of the damage inflicted on the refinery were not disclosed.
In a report, Zelensky mentioned that since the beginning of 2026, Russian military losses have exceeded 145,000 personnel, with nearly 86,000 confirmed dead and at least 59,000 wounded. Over 800 Russian soldiers have reportedly been taken prisoner, while Russian authorities have not commented on these casualty figures.
On the same night, the Governor of Yaroslavl Oblast, Mikhail Evraev, confirmed the drone attack, stating that traffic was restricted for safety reasons on routes leading out of Yaroslavl towards Moscow. Local residents reported hearing multiple explosions, and the Telegram channel Astra identified the likely target as the Slavneft-YANOS refinery. There have been no reports of structural damage.
This incident follows earlier drone strikes in Yaroslavl Oblast, including an attack on May 19 that targeted an oil pumping station. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that this earlier strike resulted in damage to four tanks with a total capacity of 140,000 cubic meters, emphasizing the strategic importance of the facility in supporting Russia’s military-industrial infrastructure.
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, various sites within Russia have been subjected to aerial strikes, with oil refineries frequently targeted. Ukrainian military officials have confirmed many of these attacks, asserting that they aim to diminish the combat capabilities of Russian forces and compel Russia to cease its armed aggression against Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces executed a drone strike on a Russian oil refinery in Yaroslavl on May 22, as part of ongoing retaliatory measures against Russian military actions. President Zelensky reported significant Russian military losses and indicated that such operations will continue to target Russian infrastructure.