Ukraine Expands Deep Drone Strikes into Russia Targeting Refineries, Air Defense, and Logistics Warehouses

Ukraine has significantly expanded its long-range strike campaign deep inside Russian territory, utilizing domestically produced drones and intelligence from the U.S. and France. Recent operations targeted major oil refining complexes up to 1,600 kilometers away in Bashkortostan and Perm, air defense radar systems in Krasnodar Krai, and commercial Wildberries warehouses linked to military dual-use supply chains. While Western officials note that these strikes successfully bring economic and political pressure to the Russian public and disrupt army supply lines, analysts and critics warn that the campaign risks triggering asymmetrical Russian escalation, including damaging retaliatory strikes on Ukrainian ports, civilian energy infrastructure, and crucial Black Sea trade routes, while doing little to halt Russian frontline advances in the Donbas.

// Background

Since 2023, Ukraine has conducted long-range drone operations inside Russia primarily aimed at oil refineries, airfields, and military depots. By mid-2026, Kyiv broadened this campaign to include commercial distribution networks like Wildberries—Russia's largest online retailer—citing the platform's role in procuring tactical gear and electronics for Russian military forces under international sanctions. The strategic shift occurs alongside heavy fighting in the Donbas region and persistent air defense shortages in Ukraine.

// Key Developments

• Ukraine's SBU executed long-range drone strikes on three major Bashneft oil refineries in Ufa and a Lukoil refinery in Perm, up to 1,600 kilometers inside Russia.
• Ukrainian strikes expanded to include commercial Wildberries e-commerce warehouses, alleging they supply the Russian military with drone components and navigation equipment.
• Drone attacks in Krasnodar Krai successfully targeted four Russian early-warning air defense radar stations, including three Podlyot-K1 and one Kasta-2E2.
• Reports indicate that U.S. and French intelligence assistance is actively supporting Ukraine's long-range drone targeting capabilities.
• Reciprocal Russian strikes and maritime threats led to a suspension of inbound vessel traffic at Ukraine's Black Sea ports, halting a third of its grain export capacity.