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Ukraine Hits Two Russian Refineries as Kyiv Raises Pressure

Ukraine says overnight strikes hit major refineries in Perm and Ryazan, pairing deeper economic pressure on Russia with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s push for U.S. support in Washington.

Published about 3 hours ago
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Ukraine Hits Two Russian Refineries as Kyiv Raises Pressure
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A two-target overnight operation

Ukrainian forces struck major refineries in Russia's Perm and Ryazan regions overnight, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday, extending Kyiv's campaign against energy infrastructure far behind the front. The facilities have combined annual production capacity of roughly 220 million barrels, according to Ukraine, although the damage and the broader claims could not immediately be independently verified.latimes A second Associated Press report described both plants as among Russia's biggest refineries.ottumwacourier

The strikes reportedly ignited fires at the Lukoil plant in Perm, more than 900 miles from Ukraine, and at Ryazan, about 180 miles from the border. Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov said six people were hospitalized after drone debris caused fires at unidentified industrial sites. Russia's Defense Ministry said air defenses downed 295 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions and occupied Crimea.latimes

Refineries remain central to Kyiv's pressure campaign

The targets matter because refined products support military operations while oil revenue helps finance the Russian state. Ukraine has increasingly relied on domestically developed drones and missiles to reach facilities that are difficult to shield across Russia's vast territory. A June account described mounting concern inside Russia as deeper strikes damaged refining capacity and contributed to fuel shortages, while cautioning that the pressure had not forced the Kremlin to change course.washingtonpost

The latest operation is part of a sustained effort rather than an isolated raid. Reuters documented repeated attacks on Russian energy sites last year, including disruptions across a country that remains one of the world's largest energy producers.reuters Two days before Wednesday's strikes, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had refreshed its list of priority long-range targets, with oil losses and weapons production among the areas where Kyiv sought to impose higher costs.open

Battlefield leverage meets Washington diplomacy

The attacks came hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met President Donald Trump in Washington. Zelenskyy also met more than 60 senators and representatives of Lockheed Martin, following a recent meeting in Kyiv with a Raytheon delegation, as Ukraine seeks sanctions, air-defense systems and expanded defense production.latimes

The timing linked Kyiv's military pressure with its case for continued U.S. support, but no ceasefire breakthrough emerged from the closed-door talks. Trump called hosting Zelenskyy a “Great Honor,” while Zelenskyy characterized the session as good. U.S. officials also agreed that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would visit Kyiv at an unspecified later date.latimes The immediate message was therefore one of continued pressure: diplomatic outreach in Washington paired with strikes intended to raise the economic cost of Russia's war.