Ukraine carried out coordinated drone operations targeting critical Russian energy infrastructure and military assets in Russian-occupied Crimea, striking a major diesel refinery deep inside Russia while simultaneously disabling radar and command facilities on the Black Sea peninsula.
According to Ukrainian defense sources and open-source intelligence reporting, Ukrainian drone forces attacked the Syzran Oil Refinery in Russia’s Samara region on December 28, damaging its only primary refining unit. The operation was conducted by the First Center of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems, as reported by the defense outlet Militarnyi.
Video footage shared by the Telegram channel Exilenova+ and verified by several Ukrainian media organizations shows the moment of impact at the refinery complex. Analysts examining the footage identified the struck installation as the ELOU-AVT-6 unit, a combined electric desalination and atmospheric-vacuum distillation system. The unit has an annual crude processing capacity of approximately six million tons and is the sole primary refining unit at the Syzran facility.
The Syzran Oil Refinery is one of Russia’s key diesel fuel producers, supplying an estimated 2.5 million tons of diesel annually. The plant plays a significant role in supplying fuel to Russia’s domestic market, including logistics networks that support military operations. Damage to the ELOU-AVT-6 unit directly affects the refinery’s ability to process crude oil, potentially reducing output for an extended period depending on repair timelines.
In addition to the refinery strike, Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted nearby energy infrastructure in the Syzran area. Local residents reported temporary disruptions to electricity and heating services following the attack. Regional energy service data later confirmed short-term outages, and analysts believe the strike may have affected the 220-kilovolt Syzran electrical substation, which supports industrial operations in the area.
While the refinery attack unfolded inside Russia, Ukrainian drones carried out additional strikes during the same night in Russian-occupied Crimea. Brigadier General Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, stated that multiple military targets were hit in the town of Chornomorske.
Among the confirmed targets was a Valday radar installation used by Russian forces for air surveillance and detection of aerial threats. Thermal footage released by Ukrainian sources shows the radar system shortly before being struck by a drone. The Valday radar is designed to detect low-altitude targets, including unmanned aerial systems, and supports local air defense coverage.
According to Ukrainian military statements, the drone strikes in Chornomorske also targeted a command post associated with a radar reconnaissance system, as well as a storage and launch base used for Russian unmanned maritime vessels. These facilities support Russian naval and surveillance operations in the Black Sea region.
The December 28 strikes followed earlier Ukrainian operations in Crimea reported days earlier. On December 25, Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate stated that a special operations unit known as “Prymary” conducted attacks against multiple Russian air defense systems across occupied Crimea. According to Ukrainian intelligence, those operations damaged or destroyed components of S-300V and Buk-M3 air defense systems, including radar units and command vehicles. A fortified structure used for storing military equipment was also reported to have been struck.
🔥 Precision attack engulfs Afipskiy refinery — Ukrainian drones torch Russia’s military fuel hub
Ukrainian officials have not disclosed the number of drones used in the December 28 operation or the extent of damage beyond what was visible in released footage. Russian authorities have not publicly commented in detail on the refinery strike or the reported damage to military installations in Crimea.
The attacks reflect Ukraine’s continued use of long-range unmanned systems to strike targets beyond the immediate front line. Russian oil refining infrastructure has been targeted repeatedly over the past year, with Ukrainian forces focusing on facilities linked to fuel production and logistics. Crimea has also remained a frequent target of Ukrainian drone and missile operations aimed at military infrastructure, air defense systems, and command facilities.
As of December 28, no casualties had been reported in connection with the refinery strike or the attacks in Crimea. The operational status of the Syzran Oil Refinery and the affected military installations remained unclear at the time of reporting.