Ukrainian Drones Target Ryazan Oil Refinery for Ninth Time in 2025

Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted Russia's Ryazan Oil Refinery during the night of December 5-6, marking the ninth such incident in 2025, according to Russian Telegram channel ASTRA. Residents of Ryazan and the surrounding region reported hearing explosions and observing fires at the refinery site.

Ryazan Oblast Governor Pavel Malkov confirmed the presence of drones in the area, stating that falling debris caused a fire at an industrial facility. He noted that the fire was quickly extinguished and reported no casualties or significant damage. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that air defense systems intercepted 29 drones over Ryazan Oblast during the attack.

The Ryazan Oil Refinery, operated by Rosneft, is one of Russia's largest, processing approximately 13.1 million tons of crude oil in 2024, accounting for about 5% of the country's total refining capacity. The facility has been a frequent target, with previous drone attacks leading to temporary suspensions of operations. Notably, a strike in November 2025 forced the refinery to halt crude processing after a fire damaged its main distillation unit.

Ukraine has not officially commented on the recent attack. However, Ukrainian forces have previously acknowledged targeting Russian oil infrastructure as part of efforts to disrupt logistical and economic support for Russia's military operations.