Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Ukraine Strikes Ufa Refinery as Russia Attacks Kyiv After Talks
Ukraine reportedly attacked an oil refinery in Ufa, far inside Russia.
Fires and explosions were also reported near another refinery in Samara.
Ukraine said the Ufa refinery suffered major damage to an important tower.
Russian authorities did not confirm the Ufa attack.
Russia said its air defences stopped 514 drones in several areas.
Later, Russian drones struck parts of Kyiv.
The attack killed two people and injured 22 others.
The strikes happened after Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Donald Trump to discuss peace and protecting Ukraine’s energy system.
Zelenskyy said no agreement had been reached.
Explosions and fires were reported near oil refineries in Ufa and Samara on September 23.
Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence said the Ufa attack significantly damaged a vacuum oil distillation tower.
Russia said its air defences allegedly intercepted and destroyed 514 drones across 18 regions and nearby waters.
Russian strikes hit railway infrastructure, warehouses and two fuel stations in Kyiv, killing two people and injuring 22.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump discussed a possible energy-target ceasefire and additional Patriot missile supplies, but reached no agreement.
- Who
- Ukraine and Russia were involved; Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump also held talks.
- What
- A reported Ukrainian drone attack targeted refineries near Ufa and Samara, while Russian strikes hit Kyiv.
- When
- The refinery explosions were reported on September 23; the Kyiv attack occurred on Wednesday after the Zelenskyy-Trump meeting.
- Where
- The reported refinery attacks occurred in Ufa and Samara, Russia; the retaliatory strikes hit Kyiv, Ukraine.
- Why
- The reported attacks occurred amid the Russia-Ukraine war and parallel discussions about a possible ceasefire involving energy targets.
Ukrainian and Western Accounts
Russian Position and Claims
Responsibility and damage at Ufa
Ukrainian and Western Accounts
Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence attributed the refinery explosions to the attack and reported significant damage to a vacuum oil distillation tower; an ASTRA OSINT analyst identified smoke near the refinery in an eyewitness photograph.
Russian Position and Claims
Russian authorities had not confirmed the reported attack in the region.
Air-defence results
Ukrainian and Western Accounts
Reports described explosions and fires near refineries in Ufa and Samara.
Russian Position and Claims
Russia allegedly said its air defences intercepted and destroyed 514 drones across multiple regions and nearby waters.
Peace talks and military support
Ukrainian and Western Accounts
Zelenskyy sought more Patriot missiles and discussed a possible ceasefire on energy-related targets with Trump, while also asking European officials for help with Ukraine’s budget deficit.
Russian Position and Claims
Russia warned the United Kingdom and France against providing sensitive missile technology and objected to increased supplies of long-range drones and advanced weapons to Kyiv.
- Reported Ufa damage
- Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence said a vacuum oil distillation tower at the Novo Ufa refinery was significantly damaged.
- Distance from Ukraine
- The reported strike occurred approximately 1,300 to 1,400 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.
- Russian air-defence claim
- Russia allegedly said 514 drones were intercepted and destroyed over 18 regions, occupied Crimea, the Azov Sea and the Black Sea.
- Kyiv casualties
- The Russian strikes reportedly killed two people and injured 22.
- Kyiv targets
- Railway infrastructure, warehouses and two fuel stations were reportedly hit.
- Zelenskyy-Trump discussion
- The leaders discussed a potential bilateral ceasefire covering energy-related targets and additional United States Patriot air-defence missiles.
- Diplomatic warning
- Russia warned the United Kingdom and France over sensitive missile technology intended to help Ukraine produce long-range Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles.