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Ukrainian long-range drones have struck Russian oil refineries at least 194 times since the beginning of 2026, fueling Russia’s worsening fuel crisis, according to an analysis by the Financial Times based on data from Polish consultancy Rochan Consulting, UATV English reports.
The report says successful Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries reached a monthly record of 16 in May. Overall, refinery facilities have been hit at least 194 times this year—an elevenfold increase compared with the same period in 2025.
While Moscow claims its air defenses intercept the vast majority of Ukrainian drones, official figures published by Russia’s Ministry of Defense state that 63,933 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories during the first six months of 2026.
According to the report, more than half of those interceptions were reported in May and June, when Russia claimed to have shot down 14,195 drones and 17,832 drones, respectively, compared with fewer than 6,000 per month in January and February.
The Financial Times notes that both the growing number of successful strikes and Russia’s interception figures point to a dramatic increase in the scale of Ukraine’s long-range drone campaign against strategic energy infrastructure.
Analysts attribute the campaign’s success to Ukraine’s expanded drone production, improved operational planning and intelligence support that helped identify optimal flight routes and bypass Russian air defenses.
“Ukraine has achieved a technological breakthrough that has enabled it to produce more long-range drones and significantly expand mass production,” said Stefan Meister, head of the Eurasia Program at the German Council on Foreign Relations.
