Ukraine Drones: 500km Strike & Russia Oil Depot Fire

Ukrainian drones struck an oil depot in Russia’s Pskov region, located approximately 500 kilometers west of Moscow, triggering a large-scale fire. The attack, carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine’s (SBU) Alpha Special Operations Center, targeted the Velikolukskaya oil depot, a key facility for supplying fuel to the Russian army.

Drone Strike on Russian Oil Depot

The Velikiye Luki oil facility stores diesel, gasoline, and other petroleum products for distribution to gas stations, businesses, and transport companies. It is owned by Pskovnefteprodukt LLC and is situated 50 kilometers from the Belarusian border.

Local reports indicate at least four explosions were recorded at the depot following the precise drone strikes. Employees of nearby enterprises were evacuated, and the fire has since been contained with no reported injuries to civilians or refinery staff.

Russia’s defense ministry stated Thursday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 113 Ukrainian drones overnight, some of which were aimed at energy targets. Regional governor Mikhail Vedernikov confirmed one drone attack hit the oil refinery in Velikiye Luki, igniting an oil storage tank.

“Protective nets had been erected over the tanks, but according to eyewitness reports, several drones broke through, triggering a large fire,” an OSINT analyst told ASTRA.

The SBU source stated that targeting facilities supplying the Russian army with fuel directly impacts the enemy’s ability to conduct combat operations, advance, and transfer reserves. The site was previously targeted by drones in April 2024.

The strike occurred shortly after Russia and Ukraine concluded two days of US-brokered talks in Geneva, aimed at reaching a settlement to the ongoing conflict. Both sides described the discussions as “difficult,” with no breakthrough announced.