President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian forces struck a Lukoil oil refinery in the city of Perm, more than 1,600 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, and the Marinovka air base in Russia’s Volgograd region in overnight attacks on August 21.
The Perm refinery, operated by Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez, is one of Russia’s significant refining hubs, processing approximately 12.6 million tons of crude oil annually, equivalent to roughly 250,000 barrels per day. The facility produces gasoline, diesel, coke, and fuel oil. This marks the third Ukrainian strike on the Perm refinery in just two weeks, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Deep Strikes Into Russian Territory
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 325 Ukrainian drones overnight across multiple regions, though it did not specifically address the Perm and Volgograd strikes. Smoke was reported rising over the Lukoil refinery in Perm following the attack, according to local media and social media footage.
The Marinovka air base in the Volgograd region houses Russian tactical aviation units. The base has been a recurring target in Ukraine’s deep-strike campaign, which has increasingly focused on Russian military and energy infrastructure far behind the front lines.
Fuel Crisis Deepens Across Russia
The continued strikes on Russian oil infrastructure have contributed to a fuel crisis affecting at least 25 Russian regions, according to Ukrainian media reports. Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has previously stated that strikes on Russia’s oil sector have severely disrupted fuel supplies to the Russian military.
The deep-strike campaign represents a significant expansion of Ukraine’s offensive capabilities, with drones now routinely targeting facilities well over 1,000 kilometers from the front lines. Since the beginning of 2026, Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian oil infrastructure as part of its broader strategy of increasing the economic and logistical costs of Russia’s war.
Sources: Kyiv Independent; Ukrinform; President Zelensky official Telegram; Russian Defense Ministry
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