Ukraine confirms strike on Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery, major blaze reported
Ukraine has confirmed drone strikes on two strategic Russian targets overnight on Oct. 23, the Ryazan Oil Refinery and an ammunition depot near Valuyki, Belgorod Oblast.
The attack on the ammunition storage site near Valuyki destroyed the target, triggering secondary explosions and detonation of Russian munitions, according to Ukraine`s General Staff. The area has been frequently used by Russian forces as a logistics and weapons center near the Ukrainian border.
In Ryazan, explosions and a large fire were reported by local residents near the Ryazan Oil Refinery. Later that day, the General Staff of Ukraine confirmed that Defense Forces had successfully struck the facility.
"Explosions were observed in the target area, followed by a large-scale fire," the General Stuff said in a statement.
Owned by Rosneft, the refinery has an annual processing capacity of over 17 million tons of crude oil and plays a central role in fueling Russian military units and maintaining logistical operations.
Russia’s Defense Ministry earlier said it shot down 14 Ukrainian drones over Ryazan Oblast overnight. Regional Governor Pavel Malkov said debris from downed drones caused a fire at an industrial site without specifying the facility.
The Ryazan refinery has been repeatedly targeted by drones since early 2025, as Ukraine intensifies strikes on critical Russian energy infrastructure. The facility plays a major role in supplying fuel to central Russia, and its disruption could have broader implications for the country’s logistics, military supply chains, and economic stability.
Reuters reported the refinery processed 13.1 million metric tons (262,000 barrels per day) in 2024, nearly 5% of Russia’s total refining throughput. It produced 2.2 million tons of gasoline, 3.4 million tons of diesel, 4.3 million tons of fuel oil, and 1 million tons of jet fuel, Reuters said, citing source-based data.
The apparent strike at Ryazan was likely part of a massive overnight drone attack involving 139 drones targeting 10 regions across Russia. The ministry alleged that 56 drones were intercepted over Belgorod Oblast, 22 over Bryansk, 21 over Voronezh, 14 over Ryazan, 13 over Rostov, two each over Tambov, Volgograd, Oryol, and Kaluga, one over Kursk, and four over occupied Crimea.
Ukraine has not commented on the incident yet.
Volodymyr Ivanyshyn
