Ukraine Strikes Oil Refineries in Russia’s Saratov and Samara Oblasts

Ukraine’s military confirmed on Sept. 20 that it carried out overnight strikes on two oil refineries in Russia’s Saratov and Samara oblasts, marking a deep incursion into Russian territory. Explosions and fires were reported, with damage also inflicted on key transport infrastructure in Samara.
According to Ukraine’s General Staff, the targeted facilities supply the Russian Armed Forces with fuel and lubricants. Kyiv described the strikes as part of a broader campaign to erode Russia’s military-economic potential by disrupting its oil refining and logistics network.
In Saratov, residents posted videos showing drones striking a refinery on the city’s outskirts, triggering a large blaze. Russian officials acknowledged damage from drone attacks but focused on reporting a residential building hit and one injury. The Saratov refinery, which processes 4.8 million metric tons of petroleum products annually, had already been targeted earlier this month.
Meanwhile, in Samara Oblast, drones struck the Novokuybyshevsk refinery, more than 900 km from the Ukraine border. Residents reported seeing a major fire near the facility, and Russia’s aviation authority temporarily halted flights at Samara Airport during the attack. The full extent of the damage remains unclear.
These latest strikes come as Russia struggles with a mounting gasoline shortage, worsened by repeated Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure, a vital revenue stream and supply source for Moscow’s war effort.