Image: from Hoang Thiên X @hoangthien109
By Open Chronicle
Ukraine has carried out another wave of long-range strikes against Russia’s energy and military infrastructure, targeting one of the country’s largest oil refineries along with key logistics and command facilities in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory, according to Ukraine’s General Staff.
The overnight operation, conducted on July 2, is part of Kyiv’s ongoing campaign to weaken Russia’s military and economic capabilities by disrupting fuel production and supply lines supporting the war effort.
🔥 Ukrainian drones strike one of Russia's largest oil refineries in the Nizhny Novgorod region
Overnight on July 2, Ukraine launched a drone attack on Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region. According to Governor Gleb Nikitin, air defenses shot down 30 drones, but falling debris… pic.twitter.com/vbM1FF9Ljl
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) July 2, 2026
One of Russia’s largest refineries hit
The primary target was the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez oil refinery in Kstovo, located in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod Oblast.
The facility is regarded as Russia’s fourth-largest oil refinery and the country’s second-largest producer of gasoline, with an annual processing capacity of approximately 17 million metric tons of crude oil.
In addition to gasoline, the refinery produces diesel fuel, aviation fuel, lubricants, and other petroleum products, including supplies used by the Russian military.
Ukraine’s General Staff said the strike triggered a fire and damaged the refinery’s AVT-6 primary crude oil processing unit, although the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Russian authorities report a drone attack
Nizhny Novgorod Oblast Governor Gleb Nikitin confirmed that Ukrainian drones targeted the region overnight.
According to Nikitin, Russian air defense systems intercepted 30 aerial targets, while one person was reported killed during the attacks.
The refinery had only recently resumed operations after previously suspending production following an earlier Ukrainian drone strike, according to industry reports.
Strikes extend into occupied territories
Ukraine also reported successful attacks on several military objectives inside Russian-occupied regions.
Among the most significant was a strike against a railway bridge over the Siverskyi Donets River near Stanytsia Luhanska in occupied Luhansk Oblast.
The bridge is reportedly used by Russian forces to transport troops, weapons, and military equipment to frontline positions.
Additional strikes targeted a Russian command and observation post near Vilshana in occupied Kharkiv Oblast, as well as a drone storage facility near Kamianka in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
Campaign against Russia’s energy sector intensifies
Since the beginning of 2026, Ukraine has significantly expanded its long-range drone campaign against Russian energy infrastructure.
Oil refineries, fuel depots and logistics hubs have become frequent targets as Kyiv seeks to reduce Russia’s ability to sustain military operations.
The latest strikes underscore Ukraine’s growing capability to reach strategic targets deep inside Russian territory while simultaneously disrupting military supply routes in occupied regions.
Russia has not independently confirmed the extent of the reported damage to the refinery or the military installations.