Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Facilities as Lithuania Warns of ‘False Flag’ Attack

On Aug. 6, Ukraine struck two major oil refineries deep inside Russia, marking another expansion of Kyiv’s long-range campaign against Moscow’s critical energy infrastructure. That same day, Russia launched another wave of attacks across Ukraine, killing at least six people and wounding several others. Meanwhile, Lithuania warned that Russia may be considering a “false flag” operation using captured Ukrainian drones in an attempt to undermine NATO support for Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces successfully struck the Bashneft-Novoil refinery in Russia’s Republic of Bashkortostan and the Slavneft-YANOS refinery in the Yaroslavl region. The Bashkortostan facility lies more than 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) from the front lines, highlighting Ukraine’s growing ability to conduct long-range attacks against Russian energy infrastructure.

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Targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure

Slavneft-YANOS, located roughly 700 kilometers (435 miles) from the Ukrainian border, is one of Russia’s larger refineries, with a processing capacity of approximately 300,000 barrels per day. The facility produces gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other petroleum products, making it an important part of Russia’s domestic fuel supply.

Zelenskyy posted footage showing thick smoke rising from what appeared to be one of the facilities, though he did not identify where the video was recorded.

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Yaroslavl Governor Mikhail Evrayev said Russian air defenses and electronic warfare systems intercepted the incoming drones, but falling debris sparked a major fire at the refinery. Ukrainian media reported that four people suffered shrapnel wounds, while residential buildings and oil infrastructure were also damaged.

The strikes come as Ukraine continues to target refineries, fuel depots, and other energy facilities deep inside Russian territory. Kyiv has argued that the attacks are aimed at disrupting the infrastructure that supplies and finances Russia’s war effort, while also putting pressure on an oil industry that remains a major source of revenue for Moscow.

Russia hits back with deadly strikes

Russia, meanwhile, continued its own aerial attacks across Ukraine overnight. In the eastern Kharkiv region, a strike on a residential area in Balakliia killed three people as emergency crews battled fires and searched damaged buildings.

Another three people were killed in the northern Sumy region, where authorities reported multiple attacks. At least 19 people were wounded, including 12 injured when Russian forces struck the city of Sumy with guided aerial bombs. In the southern Kherson region, authorities said six people were injured when a Russian drone struck a van, local media reported.

The attacks came amid an intensifying exchange of long-range strikes between the two countries, with Russia continuing to target Ukrainian cities and infrastructure while Kyiv has increasingly carried the war deeper into Russian territory. Moscow has relied heavily on drones, missiles, and guided aerial bombs throughout the conflict, forcing Ukraine to stretch its air defenses across both frontline regions and major population centers.

The latest casualties also underscore the continued toll on civilians as the war grinds on, particularly in regions such as Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kherson that lie close to the front or Russian territory and have faced repeated bombardment.

Lithuania warns of possible ‘false flag’

As the fighting intensifies, NATO members along Russia’s western flank are also raising concerns over possible provocations. Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas said on Aug. 6 (Thursday) that the country’s intelligence services believe Russia may be considering using captured Ukrainian drones to stage attacks in the Baltic region and then blame Kyiv.

“We are talking about a false flag operation, using a false Ukrainian drone,” Kaunas said. “One of the goals is for NATO to waver and decrease support to Ukraine. I can assure this will not happen.”