Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect comment by Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, as well as to include reporting on the drone attack on the Syzran Oil Refinery in Samara Oblast.

Ukrainian drones struck oil refineries in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai and Samara Oblast overnight on Aug. 30, the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, confirmed.

Earlier in the night, Russian Telegram channels reported explosions were heard by local residents starting 2:30 a.m. local time in Krasnodar Krai, amid reports of drones flying overhead. Videos posted to social media appear to show a large blazes emanating from a both oil refineries.

The full extent of the damage was not immediately clear.

Brovdi said that the 14th regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces, in coordination with the Special Operations Forces, struck Krasnodar Oil Refinery and Syzran Oil Refinery in Samara Oblast.

0:00 / 1× A purported video of a fire at a local oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai following a Ukrainian drone attack on the region. (Exilenova_plus/Telegram)

Both refineries have previously been the target of multiple attacks by Kyiv, with the Syzran Oil Refinery previously being struck on Aug. 15.

Kyiv has repeatedly targeted Russian infrastructure in the region since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, particularly taking aim at Russia’s fossil fuel infrastructure as part of its strategy to undermine funding for the Kremlin’s war chest.

According to Brovdi, both refineries combine for a total volume of 4.1% of Russian oil production. Both refineries produces a wide range of fuels, including aviation fuel, and helps supply the Russian Armed Forces.

Reuters reported that Ukraine struck 10 refineries throughout August, shutting down facilities representing 17% of national processing capacity, or 1.1 million barrels per day.

Both Krasnodar Krai, situated just east of occupied Crimea and separated by the Kerch Strait, and Samara Oblast, located approximately 700km from Ukraine’s front line, have become an increasingly frequent target of Ukrainian drone strikes.

Ukrainian drones struck multiple Russian oil facilities overnight on Sept. 5, including Russia’s largest Rosneft refinery in Ryazan and an oil depot in occupied Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine’s top drone warfare commander Robert “Madyar” Brovdi reported.

“Gasoline (in Russia) is becoming scarce, while gas and oil are quickly running out,” he wrote.

Residents of Ryazan, a city 180 kilometers (120 miles) southeast of Moscow, told Russian pro-government media outlet Shot that they heard explosions around 2 a.m., followed by a blaze that lit up the sky.

Photos and videos circulating on social media appeared to show a large fire and thick black smoke rising from the refinery, located on the southern edge of the city.

The facility, which has a capacity of 13.8 million tons per year, was previously struck by Ukrainian drones on Aug. 2, forcing two of its three main refining units to halt operations.

Regional Governor Pavel Malkov claimed eight drones were shot down over Ryazan Oblast and said debris fell onto an industrial site, claiming no casualties or damage to residential areas.

The governor did not directly address reports of a fire at the refinery.

In occupied Luhansk Oblast, local residents reported black smoke over the area late on Sept. 4. Madyar said Ukrainian drones struck the region’s oil depot, though the extent of the damage remains unclear.

0:00 / 1× A purported video of the aftermath of a Ukrainian drone strike on an oil depot in occupied Luhansk Oblast on Sept. 4, 2025. (Exilenova_plus/Telegram)

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it downed 92 Ukrainian drones overnight.

Ukraine has intensified long-range strikes against Russian energy facilities, targeting refineries and depots to cut into Moscow’s war funding.

In August alone, Ukraine struck at least 12 refineries, shutting down facilities representing over 17% of national processing capacity, or 1.1 million barrels per day.

Foreign troops on Ukrainian soil would be considered “legitimate targets for destruction,” and their deployment would be unnecessary if a peace deal is reached, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sept. 5 at the Eastern Economic Forum.

His remarks come as Europe intensifies talks on security guarantees for Kyiv in case of a ceasefire or peace deal, with proposals to send foreign troops to prevent another possible Russian invasion.

“If any troops appear there, especially now, during the fighting, we assume that they will be legitimate targets for destruction,” Putin said. “And if decisions are reached that will lead to peace, to long-term peace, then I simply see no point in their presence on Ukrainian territory.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed this stance, saying foreign contingents could not provide Kyiv with security guarantees.

“Can Ukraine’s security guarantees be ensured and provided by foreign, especially European and American, military contingents? Definitely not, they cannot,” Peskov said in Vladivostok.

“You cannot guarantee the security of one country by undermining the security of another. We would recognize it as a threat to ourselves — the presence of international forces, or any foreign forces, or NATO forces on Ukrainian soil, near our border.”

Putin’s warning misrepresents the proposals under discussion.

European leaders have not suggested sending combat troops into Ukraine during ongoing hostilities, but rather deploying international peacekeepers only after a possible ceasefire.

Such forces would not be engaged in fighting but tasked with monitoring and maintaining peace, and under international law, they cannot be considered “legitimate” military targets.

The comments followed the Sept. 4 Paris summit of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing,” where President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders discussed a possible security framework.

French President Emmanuel Macron said after the meeting that 26 countries are ready to send troops or contribute other support as part of the guarantees.

The European-led coalition has proposed deploying a multinational reassurance force alongside commitments of weapons, logistics, and training.

Macron stressed the guarantees would not amount to NATO membership but rely on a strong Ukrainian military backed by more than 30 partners.

The Paris meeting followed White House talks on Aug. 18, when European leaders pressed U.S. President Donald Trump to join the effort. Trump later said Washington could provide air support but ruled out deploying U.S. ground troops.

Ukraine has called for binding security guarantees in any peace deal, warning that without them Moscow could regroup and attack again.

Ukrainian drones allegedly struck Russian oil infrastructure overnight on Sept. 4–5, with reported hits in Russia’s Ryazan Oblast and occupied Luhansk Oblast.

In Ryazan, explosions were heard around 1:30 a.m. local time at the Ryazan Oil Refinery. Social media footage showed flames and heavy smoke rising from the site. Regional Governor Pavel Malkov claimed eight drones were shot down and insisted there were no casualties or residential damage, though debris reportedly hit an industrial facility, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.

#Ukrainian drones reportedly struck multiple #Russian oil facilities overnight on Sept. 4-5, Russian Telegram channels reported.

In Russia’s #Ryazan Oblast, Russian Telegram channels reported that Ukrainian drones struck the Ryazan Oil Refinery overnight on Sept. 5.… pic.twitter.com/9RuIlrx3Vm — News.Az (@news_az) September 5, 2025

Meanwhile, residents in Luhansk reported blasts near an oil depot late on Sept. 4, with large black clouds visible. Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had intercepted 92 Ukrainian drones overnight. The extent of the damage in both regions remains unclear, and Ukraine has not officially commented.

Kyiv has intensified strikes on Russian energy facilities since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, targeting refineries to weaken Moscow’s war financing. In August alone, Ukraine reportedly hit at least 12 refineries, disrupting over 17% of Russia’s processing capacity.

The latest strikes come as Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged gas shortages during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Sept. 4, warning of rising demand in the Far East.

News.Az

On the night of September 5, unmanned aerial systems attacked fuel infrastructure facilities in Russia and the occupied territory of Ukraine. The Ryazan oil refinery and an oil depot in Luhansk were hit, according to Robert ‘Magyar’ Brovdi, commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces.

Drones attacked the Ryazan oil refinery, one of the four largest refineries in Russia, with an annual capacity of about 17.1 million tons, and at the Luhansk oil depot, which is located in the temporarily occupied territory.

The operations were carried out by units of the Bird’s Sting of Unmanned Systems Forces (14th Regiment) in coordination with the Special Operations Forces, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, and other components of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

“Gasoline is becoming a scarce commodity, and gas and oil are quickly burning up,” Magyar emphasized.

Attack on Ryazan oil refinery

On the night of September 5, Ukrainian drones again attacked the Ryazan oil refinery—numerous photos and videos of a large-scale fire that broke out after the explosions appeared on social media.

The Russian authorities said that air defense and electronic warfare systems had allegedly destroyed eight drones over the region.

According to them, there were no casualties or damage to residential buildings or infrastructure. At the same time, they acknowledged that debris fell on the territory of the industrial enterprise.

The oil refinery in Ryazan has been hit again. The previous attack was on August 2.