Ukrainian Drones Set Major Russian Refinery Ablaze for 8th Time This Year

Ukrainian drones launched an attack on Friday, August 28, causing one of Russia's largest oil refineries to erupt in flames. The Yaroslavnefteorgsintez refinery, also known as Slavneft-YANOS, suffered significant damage and caught fire in Yaroslavl Oblast. The governor of the region reported that authorities responded by blocking roads, rerouting public transport, and closing kindergartens.

However, no casualties were reported. Eyewitnesses confirmed the attack to Russian independent outlet Astra, which reported that the refinery, capable of processing up to 15 million metric tons (16.5 million tons) of crude oil annually, was targeted for the eighth time this year. Previous strikes on the refinery were recorded on August 6, July 16, July 6, May 22, May 8, April 26, and March 28.

Ukraine has intensified its efforts to target Russia's oil-refining infrastructure, as part of its strategy to disrupt the nation's military supply chains and fuel production. The most recent attack followed Ukrainian strikes on Lukoil's Nizhny Novgorod refinery in Kstovo on August 26 and Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Rostov Oblast on August 25.

Multiple other Russian refineries, including Lukoil's Perm and Volgograd facilities, Rosneft's Saratov refinery, Orsknefteorgsintez, and Sibur's ZapSibNeftekhim, have also been affected by drone strikes in recent months, leading to disruptions in their operations. According to available reports, Ukrainian drones have attacked Russian oil refineries over 70 times since the beginning of 2026, contributing to the decline in Russian oil refining levels to their lowest point since 2002, which has exacerbated fuel shortages and a domestic fuel crisis.