Ukraine’s Drone Campaign Strikes Deep Into Russia’s Energy Infrastructure

At a hidden site in rural Ukraine, teams of soldiers assemble long-range attack drones under cover of night, preparing them for missions that now reach deep into Russian territory.

Strategic Targets

The drones are aimed at oil refineries, fuel depots, and military logistics hubs. Since the summer, Ukraine has dramatically expanded its long-range drone campaign, repeatedly striking Russian energy infrastructure and forcing Moscow to stretch its air defenses. The attacks have already caused fuel shortages in parts of Russia, with some regions resorting to rationing.

How the Drones Are Built

• Constructed from parts sourced across a dispersed network of workshops
• Capable of flying farther than at any previous stage of the war
• Launched from improvised rural runways under strict secrecy

Impact on Russia

Western analysts say Ukrainian drones have struck 16 major Russian refineries, representing about 38% of Russia’s refining capacity, according to a Carnegie Endowment review. While most facilities resumed operations within weeks, Russia’s output has been cushioned by idle capacity and fuel reserves.

Still, the strikes have given Kyiv momentum at a critical moment. With US and European sanctions tightening on Russia’s oil industry, Ukraine’s drone campaign has added pressure. President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed the strikes have forced Moscow to import fuel and cut exports, estimating that Russia has lost up to 20% of its gasoline supply as a direct result.

On the Ground

At the launch site, officers in body armor work quickly and quietly, their red headlamps glowing in the dark. Engines sputter before the drones lift off one by one into the night sky. The commander, known only by his call sign “Fidel,” watches through night-vision goggles as the aircraft disappear eastward, bound for targets across the border.