KYIV, Ukraine — April 18, 2026 Ukrainian drone strikes targeted Russian oil depots and refineries in multiple regions, including Crimea and southern Russia, as Kyiv escalates efforts to disrupt Moscow's fuel supply and revenue streams.
Drone Strikes Hit Key Russian Oil Facilities
A Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian-occupied port city of Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula caused an oil depot to catch fire, according to multiple corroborated reports. The blaze was reportedly ignited by downed drones, though Russian officials claimed it had no impact on Sevastopol's fuel supply. Air defenses in the city also intercepted two additional drones, preventing further damage.
Further north, the port of Vysotsk in Russia's Leningrad region came under fire from Ukrainian drones, as confirmed by regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko. Russian forces repelled 27 drone attacks in the Leningrad region alone, underscoring the scale of Ukraine's offensive. In the southern Krasnodar region, an oil depot was struck, according to the regional crisis center, while a refinery in Novokuibyshevsk, Samara region, was also reportedly hit.
Strategic Targeting of Russia's Oil Industry
Ukraine has significantly ramped up attacks on Russia's oil infrastructure in recent months, aiming to cripple Moscow's ability to fund its war effort. The targeted facilities include refineries with substantial production capacities, such as one in Novokuibyshevsk capable of processing 8.8 million tons of oil annually—one of the country's largest. By disrupting these critical nodes, Kyiv seeks to slash Russia's oil export revenues, a key pillar of its wartime economy.