A large-scale Ukrainian drone strike hit an oil refinery in Ryazan, Russia, on January 24, marking the most significant aerial assault of the year from Ukraine. The attack targeted several Russian regions, including Moscow, and caused significant damage at the Rosneft-operated refinery.
Eyewitnesses and video footage showed a powerful explosion and fireball engulfing the facility. Fires were also reported at the nearby Novo-Ryazan Thermal Power Plant. Although the full extent of the damage is still under assessment, Ukrainian authorities confirmed that the attack also impacted an oil pumping station in the region. No casualties have been reported, but the strike disrupted key Russian infrastructure.
Ukrainian military sources also claimed that the attack on Ryazan was part of a broader effort to weaken Russia’s war machinery, with key facilities like the Kremniy El microelectronics plant in Bryansk also targeted. This plant is crucial for Russia’s military, producing components for missile systems, air defense systems, and combat aircraft avionics.
Along with the Ryazan refinery, the drone strike affected several other regions in Russia. Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that six drones were intercepted over the capital, and additional drones were downed in nearby areas. However, no major damage or injuries were reported in Moscow. The attack caused temporary disruptions to air traffic, with several major airports, including Vnukovo and Domodedovo, suspending operations.
Russian authorities reported that more than 120 Ukrainian drones were intercepted across various regions, including Bryansk, Kursk, Saratov, and Crimea. Smaller drones were also downed in areas like Belgorod and Lipetsk, but the overall impact on Russian defense and civilian infrastructure is still being evaluated.
This series of strikes is a part of Ukraine’s ongoing strategy to target critical Russian military infrastructure and disrupt the country’s war efforts, with assurances from the Ukrainian military that these operations will continue until Russia halts its aggression against Ukraine.
Fiery- explosion photo by stockcake.com
