On April 2, 2026, drones targeted oil refineries in Russia's Bashkortostan republic, leading to a fire in an industrial area of Ufa, the regional capital. Regional governor Radiy Khabirov confirmed that several drones were shot down while approaching oil refineries, with debris from one causing a fire at an enterprise.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, which has intensified and is causing significant disruptions across Russia. Earlier in June 2026, a record drone attack on Moscow hit the Moscow Oil Refinery, disrupting airport operations and leading to the closure of major roads. Another strike on June 16, 2026, also targeted the Moscow Oil Refinery, damaging a primary processing unit.
The persistent strikes have caused a worsening gasoline crunch in Russia, with at least two-thirds of the country's regions implementing fuel rationing or experiencing supply disruptions. Regional governors across Russia, from areas bordering Ukraine to the Amur region near China, are being forced to limit sales at filling stations and to deter panic buying. The scale of these disruptions is increasing, posing a significant challenge to the Russian economy as fuel prices rise and shortages become more common.
