Ukraine’s Drone Strikes on Russian Oil Refineries Mark New Phase in War
- Attacks on refineries have both symbolic and strategic goals
- Kyiv plans to send ever-increasing swarm of drones into Russia
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Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion has entered a new phase, pitting homegrown drone technology against a 2,000 kilometer (1,200 mile) swathe of largely Soviet-era oil facilities.
At least nine major refineries have been successfully attacked this year, currently taking offline 11% of the country’s total capacity by some estimates. As the conflict at the front lines has shifted in Moscow’s favor, the drone campaign is becoming a key plank of Ukraine’s defense — both in its symbolism and its strategic aims.