Ukrainian Drones Strike Ufa Refinery, Ending Two-Week Pause in Attacks on Russian Oil Plants

Ukrainian forces resumed strikes on Russian oil refineries on Saturday, ending a two-week pause, with a major attack on the Bashneft-Novoil plant in Ufa, a subsidiary of Rosneft. The strike targeted a catalytic reforming unit producing high-octane gasoline components, causing a large fire. The attack challenges Russian claims that over 90% of damaged refining capacity had been repaired during the pause, which Moscow had presented as a labor achievement. Local reports confirmed drone flyovers, gunfire, explosions, and thick black smoke rising from the facility. During the pause, Ukraine also struck electronics factories, explosives component plants, and solid rocket fuel production facilities, including a recent combined drone and cruise missile attack. The strikes serve as a warning to Serbian President Dodik regarding his agreements with Russia.