Ukraine targets Russian power plants and refinery in intensified drone campaign

Friday 31 October 2025 - 15:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Ukraine targets Russian power plants and refinery in intensified drone campaign

Ukrainian drones struck critical energy infrastructure in three Russian regions overnight on Friday, damaging a thermal power plant in Oryol, a major electrical substation near Vladimir, and an oil refinery in Yaroslavl. The attacks mark a significant escalation in Ukraine’s efforts to undermine Moscow’s energy sector as part of an ongoing drone offensive.

Power outages and disruptions in Oryol

The strikes left parts of Oryol, located 400 kilometers southwest of Moscow, without electricity and heating after drones hit the city’s main thermal power plant. Governor Andrey Klychkov confirmed that heating and hot water supplies were restricted in three districts—Soviet, Zheleznozhny, and Severny—affecting thousands of residents.

In a social media statement, Klychkov said, "We will need to limit heating and hot water supply to buildings in the Soviet, Zheleznozhny, and Severny districts of Oryol." The attack underscores the vulnerability of Russia’s civilian infrastructure amid growing Ukrainian drone capabilities.

Key energy sites targeted

The Ukrainian drones also struck the Vladimirskaya substation, a 750-kilovolt electrical hub critical to Russia’s central grid. The substation transmits electricity from nuclear and thermal power plants to Moscow and other central regions. Videos from the site showed large flames and smoke rising from the facility.

In Yaroslavl, explosions were reported near the Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery, one of Russia’s five largest refineries, with an annual processing capacity of 15 million tons. The refinery supplies fuel to key industrial sites, airports, and Russia’s defense sector, making it a strategic target.

A broader campaign against Russia’s energy backbone

Ukraine’s drone campaign has increasingly targeted Russia’s energy infrastructure since the summer of 2025. According to the Carnegie Endowment, Ukrainian forces have hit 16 major refineries, accounting for approximately 38% of Russia’s nominal refining capacity. President Volodymyr Zelensky claims these strikes have reduced Russia's gasoline supply by up to 20%.

The attacks have caused fuel shortages and led to rationing in several Russian regions, with fuel prices rising by about 10%. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that Ukraine’s strikes have cut Russia’s refining capacity by roughly 500,000 barrels per day.

Despite Russian claims of intercepting 130 Ukrainian drones overnight, the strikes highlight Ukraine’s ability to penetrate Russian air defenses and hit strategic targets deep inside the country. Ukrainian drones, including the domestically produced Liutyi model, have significantly advanced in range and capability, with some variants now able to travel up to 1,000 kilometers. These drones are assembled in secret workshops across Ukraine and launched discreetly from rural areas.

Russia retaliates with massive energy strikes

The escalation comes amid tit-for-tat attacks on energy networks. On Thursday, Russia launched one of its largest barrages of the war, firing 705 missiles and drones at Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The assault killed at least seven people, including a 7-year-old girl, and caused nationwide power restrictions as winter approaches.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko condemned Moscow’s tactics as “systematic energy terror,” accusing Russia of attempting to create a humanitarian catastrophe ahead of winter.