Several explosions were reported in Russia overnight as a result of a massive drone attack, with extraordinary images showing the night sky being lit up by fierce flames.
Astonishing footage circulating online shows huge blazes enveloping the Ryazan Oil Refining Company as well as the nearby Novo-Ryazan Thermal Power Plant.
Regional Governor Pavel Malkov confirmed a drone attack had targeted the region in the early hours of Friday, and added that a private home in Ryazan caught fire due to an air strike.
The fire, he said, has already been extinguished, and there are no casualties.
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The governor added drones were destroyed over the region, confirming an attack had taken place.
Elsewhere, a large explosion was also reported near Engels-2 air base in Saratov Oblast, Russia and a fire was reportedly burning at Kremniy El military microelectronics plant in Bryansk.
The building of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Bryansk Region was damaged, according to independent Russian news agency Astra.
In Kursk, Russia Mayor Kutsak reported power outages due to a drone attack on the city.
Spectacular footage was shared via X by Anton Geraschenko, a former adviser to Ukraine's Interior Ministry.
He commented: "One more video from Ryazan oil refinery appeared in local Telegram channels.
"As the explosion sounds, one Russian excitedly asks the other one: "Did you manage to film it?"
"And he did manage."
Ukraine rarely acknowledges attacks carried out outside of its internationally recognised borders.
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However, Volodymyr Zelensky's forces have increasingly focused on targeting Russian energy facilities in recent months as part of a strategy to weaken Moscow's war effort and disrupt its economic stability.
By striking key infrastructure such as oil refineries, fuel depots, and power stations, Ukraine aims to impair Russia’s ability to supply and sustain its military operations while also causing domestic strain within Russia.
Such attacks, often carried out using drones or long-range precision strikes, are designed to create logistical bottlenecks and increase the financial burden on the Kremlin.
This tactic also serves to demonstrate Ukraine's capacity to reach deep into Russian territory, undermining Russian confidence and signalling the high cost of continuing the war.
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