Ukraine hits Russian oil refineries in long-range attacks; NATO pledges air defenses

Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone campaign against Russia, striking two oil refineries deep within Russian territory on August 6, 2026. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that targets included the Slavneft-Yanos oil refinery in Yaroslavl Oblast, over 700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, which reportedly suffered a large fire. Another refinery in Russia's Bashkortostan Republic, more than 1,300 kilometers from the front lines, was also hit. These strikes are part of a sustained effort by Ukraine to disrupt Russia's oil revenues, with recent attacks leading to a 24-year low in Russia's oil refining volumes by July 2026.

Concurrently, NATO has committed to urgently supplying Ukraine with additional air defense systems. This pledge follows a recent Russian missile attack where Ukraine failed to intercept any ballistic missiles, prompting urgent calls from President Zelenskyy for more support. Zelenskyy noted that the supply of air defense missiles from allies in the first half of 2026 had significantly decreased compared to the previous year, highlighting the critical need for bolstered aerial protection as Russia reportedly seeks to increase its missile production. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has discussed these urgent needs with President Zelenskyy and is actively engaging with allies to ensure the delivery of necessary defenses.