Fires and explosions reported after Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian facilities

On August 15, Ukrainian defence forces launched a drone strike on the Syzran Oil Refinery in Russia’s Samara region, while a Russian command post in the temporarily occupied city of Yenakiyevo in the Donetsk region was also targeted.

Ukrainian media, citing the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reported that the Syzran refinery—one of the largest in the Rosneft network—was hit. The facility produces a variety of fuels, including aviation kerosene, and contributes to supplying the Russian military. Following the strike, fires and explosions were observed at the refinery.

Additionally, Ukrainian forces targeted the command post of the 132nd Separate Motorised Rifle Brigade of Russia’s 51st Army in Yenakiyevo. Both operations successfully struck their intended targets, though the full results are still being assessed.

The General Staff confirmed that the strikes were carried out by units of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces in coordination with other components of the Defence Forces.

“The Defence Forces continue to take measures to undermine the military and economic potential of the Russian occupiers and force Russia to stop its armed aggression against Ukraine,” the statement read.

The day prior, Ukrainian forces had struck Volgograd’s largest oil refinery, causing major fires, with details of the damage still under review. Kamikaze drones also attacked the Transneft Druzhba oil pipeline pumping station in Unecha, Bryansk region.

On the same day, Russian authorities reported a drone strike on an oil refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban, Krasnodar region.

By Tamilla Hasanova