Ukrainian drones attacked the Orsknefteorgsintez oil refinery in Russia’s Orenburg Oblast on Friday, striking a target approximately 870 miles (1,400 kilometers) from Ukrainian-controlled territory, sources in Ukraine’s Security Service told the Kyiv Post and other Ukrainian outlets.
The SBU’s Alpha special operations unit reportedly carried out the attack using long-range Liutyi drones, according to a source cited by Ukrainian outlet Liga. The Telegram channel Exilenova+ published footage showing the drones striking the facility and reported that at least two drones went down within the city of Orsk during the operation.
The videos posted online showed a large object with a twin tail flying toward the refinery before impact. Alexander Lord, lead analyst at the Sibylline Intelligence consultancy, identified the aircraft as a Ukrainian-made Antonov An-196 ‘Liutyi’ drone.
Drones have attacked the Orsk oil refinery in Russia’s Orenburg region — nearly 1,400 km from the Ukrainian border. pic.twitter.com/6wFF5YhJsf
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 3, 2025
Orenburg Oblast Governor Evgeny Solntsev confirmed an “attempted attack on an industrial facility” but claimed operations at the refinery were not disrupted and no civilians were injured.
🔥🛢️Russian oil refinery in Orsk, Orenburg region, is currently under drone attack.
Orsk oil refinery has a capacity of 6,6mln tons of oil per year. And is located around 1500km from the frontline. pic.twitter.com/uvh8OxqZgn
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) October 3, 2025
Analysis by the OSINT Telegram channel Cyberboroshno indicated the strike hit the LC-24-2000 gasoline and diesel hydrotreating unit, which was upgraded in 2014 for deeper fuel cleaning and to meet environmental standards.
Founded in 1935, Orsknefteorgsintez is one of the oldest and largest refineries in the southern Urals with an annual capacity of 6.6 million tons of crude oil. The facility produces approximately 30 types of fuel and lubricants, including gasoline, diesel, jet kerosene, fuel oil and bitumen.
1400km from Ukraine, Russians flee the Orsk refinery as Ukrainian drones target the gasoline and diesel hydrofining unit. pic.twitter.com/Z4aJuS7szN
— Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) October 3, 2025
“The SBU continues to inflict serious damage on Russia’s economy by targeting oil and gas facilities. Reducing oil revenues directly impacts the Kremlin’s ability to finance the war. Nearly 40% of Russia’s refinery capacity is already idle, and we will keep working to increase that figure,” the SBU source told Kyiv Post.
Ukraine has maintained a campaign against Russian oil refineries to weaken Russia’s economy and disrupt military logistics. Previous strikes have caused gasoline shortages in several Russian oblasts and occupied territories.
