Russia’s Oil Refineries Burn After Ukrainian Strikes, Kyiv Warns of More to Come

In the early hours of Thursday, Aug. 28, the Defense Forces of Ukraine carried out a series of strikes on strategic targets in Russia and in the temporarily occupied territories, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

In particular, the Afipsky oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region, which supplies fuel to the Russian army, was attacked. A massive fire broke out at the facility following the strike. The plant’s capacity reaches over 6 million tons of oil per year.

“This refinery, whose main products are gasoline and diesel fuel, is engaged in supplying the occupiers’ army,” the General Staff wrote in its statement.

Also during the night, the Kuibyshev oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region, with an annual processing capacity of about 7 million tons, was hit. Explosions and fires were reported at the site. The plant produces gasoline, diesel fuel, fuel oil and other petroleum products used by the Russian defense sector.

“The enterprise produces gasoline, diesel fuel, fuel oil, solvents — more than 30 types of petroleum products in total.”

In addition, Ukrainian units destroyed several enemy ammunition depots and logistics centers both on Russian territory and in the areas of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia.

The operation was conducted by the units of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Special Operations Forces, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR), and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), in coordination with other components of the Defense Forces.

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Detailed information on the consequences of the strikes is being clarified.

“The Defense Forces continue to take all measures to undermine the military and economic potential of the Russian occupiers, to cut off fuel and ammunition supplies to the invading army, and to force Russia to end its armed aggression against Ukraine,” the General Staff said, adding: “To be continued… Glory to Ukraine.”

At the same time, during that same night, Russia continued to attack peaceful Ukrainian cities. Residential neighborhoods and civilian infrastructure came under fire.

Russia launched a  massive overnight attack on Ukraine’s capital early Thursday,  Aug.28, striking Kyiv with ballistic and cruise missiles, Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and waves of Iranian-made Shahed drones.

The assault left fires raging across the city, damaged residential buildings and infrastructure, and killed at least twelve people, including 3 children, aged 2, 14 and 17 years old, officials said.

At least 45 others were wounded, with the number of casualties rising as rescue operations continued, Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed, adding that strike caused destruction in six districts of the capital: Darnytskyi, Dniprovskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Solomianskyi, Sviatoshynskyi and Desnianskyi.