Ukraine Launches Retaliatory Drone Strike on Russian Oil Refinery
Ukraine has launched a large-scale long-range drone attack targeting several regions in Russia, including the massive Ryazan oil refinery, after enduring three consecutive days of heavy missile and drone strikes from Moscow. The attack on Friday came as Ukraine observed a national day of mourning for the 24 people killed when a Russian cruise missile struck an apartment block in Kyiv on Thursday.
The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia's barrage was the largest since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, with over 1,500 drones and dozens of missiles launched across Ukraine over three days. The missile that hit the nine-storey building in Kyiv's Darnytskyi district was identified as a recently manufactured Russian Kh-101 cruise missile, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Retaliation and International Response
In response, Ukrainian drones struck the Ryazan oil refinery, one of Russia's largest, engulfing it in flames. Russian authorities reported damage to residential buildings and an industrial facility, and opened a terrorism investigation. President Zelenskyy stated, "We are entirely justified in our responses against Russia's oil industry, military production, and those directly responsible for committing war crimes against Ukraine and Ukrainians."
Meanwhile, the Council of Europe, meeting in Moldova, moved toward establishing a war crimes tribunal to try Russia's leadership for the war of aggression. Council Secretary General Alain Berset emphasized the need for follow-up action to secure the tribunal's functioning and funding.
Mourning and Rescue Efforts
In Kyiv, search-and-rescue operations at the destroyed apartment block lasted over 28 hours, with hundreds of rescuers sifting through 3,000 cubic metres of rubble. City officials confirmed 24 bodies recovered, about 30 survivors rescued, nearly 50 wounded, and around 400 people requiring psychological support. Entertainment events were cancelled or postponed, and national flags flew at half-mast.
President Zelenskyy visited the site, placing flowers and thanking rescue workers. He reiterated appeals to allies for stronger air defences, warning that "a Russia like this can never be normalised." Russia has not commented on the apartment strike, denying deliberate targeting of civilians despite frequent hits on residential areas.
