Ukrainian drones have reportedly struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Volgograd region, sparking a fire and damaging nearby infrastructure.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said earlier that air defense systems had intercepted dozens of Ukrainian drones across several regions, though Volgograd was not initially mentioned, The Caspian Post reports via Ukrainian media.

Later, Volgograd Governor Andrey Bocharov confirmed that an industrial facility in southern Volgograd had sustained damage, referring to the refinery.

The facility is operated by Lukoil and has previously been targeted in drone-related incidents. Reports suggest this is the first such strike on the site in 2026.

Officials also reported damage to nearby civilian structures, including an apartment building and a kindergarten, though no casualties were recorded. Emergency services were dispatched to assess the scene and clear potential drone debris.

Volgograd is located several hundred kilometers from Ukrainian-controlled territory. In recent months, Kyiv has stepped up long-range strikes against infrastructure inside Russia and in Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine, aiming to disrupt logistical and energy networks linked to military operations.

Ukrainian officials have previously stated that energy facilities supporting Russia’s war effort are considered legitimate military targets. Russian authorities, in turn, accuse Ukraine of attacking civilian and energy infrastructure, highlighting the ongoing escalation of cross-border strikes in the broader conflict.