Ukrainian drones hit Russian Volga targets

Ukrainian forces launched a major overnight wave of long-range drone attacks against targets in Russia, focusing on regions along the Volga River. Russia’s Defence Ministry stated that air defences had downed 635 Ukrainian drones during the operation, indicating the scale of the assault. The strikes formed part of an intensified campaign that has increasingly targeted logistics, energy infrastructure and military facilities inside Russia.

Regional officials reported that at least two people were killed in the affected areas during the attacks. In addition to the human toll, authorities cited damage to civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, heightening concerns over potential disruptions to power supply and local services.

Reports from Ukrainian and independent outlets said the overnight operations struck the Saratov oil refinery, where a fire was reported following the attack. Any damage to such a facility raises the prospect of constraints or interruptions in fuel processing and distribution within the region.

The same wave of attacks also reportedly hit the Engels strategic air base. Fires were reported at the site, underlining that the overnight campaign targeted not only economic and energy assets but also key military infrastructure. Engels has been a significant base for Russian air power, making any reported strike there notable within the broader conflict.

Among the logistics targets hit was a warehouse belonging to online retailer Wildberries in Russia’s Samara region. Regional authorities said the site came under drone attack overnight, and a fire broke out at the facility. The incident highlights the extension of strikes to commercial logistics hubs inside Russia.

Wildberries’ press service said there were no reported casualties at the Samara warehouse. The company stated it had reorganised logistics so that deliveries and dispatches were handled from other sites after the attack. Regional officials noted that information on casualties in the wider area was still being clarified as emergency teams worked at the scene.

The overnight strikes formed part of a broader pattern of Ukrainian long-range drone operations that have intensified in recent months. These operations have targeted logistics hubs, energy infrastructure and military sites with the stated aim of disrupting supplies to Russian forces and limiting the use of certain facilities.

Damage to energy facilities in regions such as Saratov, combined with fires at industrial and military sites and the hit on the Wildberries warehouse, underscores the potential for wider disruption to fuel logistics and civilian supply chains. Local authorities and companies have responded with emergency measures and operational adjustments as they assess the extent of the damage and work to restore services.