In the dead of night, far from Ukraine’s front lines, soldiers in full combat gear prepare a new kind of weapon—one that doesn’t require trenches, tanks, or troop surges. With a 24-foot wingspan and 110 pounds of explosives, Ukraine’s long-range drones are now flying deep into Russian territory, targeting oil refineries in a high-stakes campaign designed to inflict economic pain and sway Vladimir Putin toward peace talks.
Why Ukraine Is Targeting Oil Refineries
As Russian forces inch forward on the battlefield, Ukraine has shifted its strategy from defense to disruption. The goal? To hit Russia where it hurts most—not just militarily, but economically and psychologically. Oil refineries, often poorly defended and packed with flammable materials, have become prime targets.
“The most effective sanctions, the ones that work the fastest, are the fires at Russia’s oil refineries,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky last month.
Since August 2025, Ukrainian drone units have launched near-nightly strikes, damaging or destroying refining capacity equivalent to 1.5 million barrels per day—roughly 20% of Russia’s total. The result? Widespread fuel shortages, 40% price hikes at the pump, and long lines at gas stations from Saratov to Crimea.
Inside a Secret Drone Launch
The New York Times recently gained rare access to one of Ukraine’s long-range drone battalions, operating under strict secrecy. Soldiers, identified only by call signs like “Casper,” work in rotating, mobile teams to avoid Russian detection.
“Russia is hunting us,” Casper said, watching his drone vanish into the night sky. “In the morning, you will read that an oil refinery is on fire.”
These missions are high-risk. A single drone launch can draw a Russian ballistic missile strike within minutes. During one operation, a false alarm sent the entire team sprinting to underground shelters—proof that even behind the lines, the war is relentless.
Impact on Russian Civilians—and the Kremlin
While Western sanctions have targeted Russia’s crude oil exports, they’ve left domestic fuel largely untouched. Ukraine’s drone strikes fill that gap by disrupting the supply chain ordinary Russians depend on.
- Gas stations in occupied Crimea now sell only diesel.
- Drivers in central Russia face 5-gallon purchase limits.
- Some regions report overnight queues just to fill a tank.
Though the Kremlin hasn’t acknowledged the cause, the shortages are impossible to ignore. Analysts say even authoritarian regimes like Putin’s monitor public discontent—especially when it hits wallets and daily life.
| Metric | Pre-Strike (Early 2025) | Post-Strike (Oct 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Gasoline Price (Russia) | ₽52/liter | ₽73/liter (+40%) |
| Refining Capacity Lost | 0% | ~20% (1.5M bpd) |
| Drone Strikes on Refineries | Occasional | Near-nightly since August |
Homegrown Tech, Global Implications
Ukraine’s drone arsenal is largely domestic. Models like the Liutyi were developed after the 2022 invasion and can now fly over 800 miles—reaching refineries near the Ural Mountains. Unlike U.S.-made weapons, which come with restrictions on striking inside Russia, these homegrown systems give Kyiv full operational freedom.
“If we had billions more dollars, the course of the war would change very quickly,” Casper said, highlighting Ukraine’s urgent need for Western funding to scale production.
Strategic Restraint Amid Escalation Fears
Despite Russia’s relentless bombing of Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, Ukraine has avoided targeting civilian areas. Its drone strikes focus exclusively on military-linked or economic infrastructure—partly to maintain Western support and partly to uphold moral high ground.
“We’re not indiscriminate,” said one drone operator. “Every target is chosen to maximize pressure on the regime, not on innocent people.”
What Comes Next?
With battlefield gains stalled and peace talks frozen, Ukraine’s drone campaign represents its most viable path to forcing negotiations. The message to Moscow is clear: the war may be fought in Donbas, but its consequences will be felt in every Russian gas tank.
As one Russian Telegram channel posted after a recent strike: “They wrecked something there. It’s really bad!” For Ukraine, that’s exactly the point.
