Ukraine Hits Targets 1,300 km Inside Russia, Striking Ufa Oil Refinery and Penza Missile-Linked Plant
AI Analysis
Ukraine conducted long-range drone strikes, reportedly reaching 1,300km into Russia, targeting an oil refinery in Ufa and a missile component production facility in Penza. Russia claims to have intercepted 179 drones, indicating a high volume of Ukrainian drone activity. These strikes represent a shift towards targeting strategic infrastructure deep within Russia.
Key Takeaways
- Ukraine successfully targeted the Bashneft oil refinery in Ufa (1,300km from the front line) and the Scientific Research Institute of Physical Measurements (NDIFI) in Penza (600km from the front line).
- NDIFI produces sensors used in critical Russian weapon systems including ICBMs (Bulava, Topol-M, Sineva) and cruise missiles (Kh-101, Kh-59M2/Kh-59M2A).
- The Penza region also experienced damage to the Mayak electrical substation.
- Russia reported intercepting 179 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions, suggesting a saturation tactic or attempts to overwhelm air defenses.
- Ukraine frames these attacks as 'long-range sanctions' aimed at degrading Russia’s war-making capacity.
Why It Matters
These deep strikes demonstrate Ukraine’s growing ability to project force within Russia, potentially disrupting fuel production and missile manufacturing. This capability challenges Russia’s strategic depth and may force resource allocation to internal defense. The increased reliance on long-range drone strikes signals a potential evolution in Ukrainian war strategy.
Ukraine struck an oil refinery in Ufa, Russia, as well as a strategic military-industrial facility in the Penza region that produces components for missile systems, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In a post on Telegram, Zelensky said the Ufa refinery – one of Russia’s largest lubricant producers – was hit for the second time as part of Ukraine’s ongoing long-range campaign.
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He said the facility is located more than 1,300 kilometers (around 800 miles) from the front line.
Ukrainian monitoring channel Exilenova+ identified the refinery as Bashneft.
Zelensky also said Ukrainian forces struck a facility in the Penza region involved in the development and production of components for missile weapons used in Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.
He added that the distance to the Penza target was about 600 kilometers (around 370 miles) from the front line.
According to the president, Ukraine is carrying out its “long-range sanctions” plan on a daily basis.
“This is a fair response to everything Russia is doing against us,” Zelensky said. “Peace is needed, and Russia must end this war. The Russian leadership has all the opportunities to do so.”
Earlier, Russian Telegram channels reported drone attacks on the city of Penza early Wednesday, July 1. Air raid alerts were triggered, and residents reported explosions.
Local governor Oleg Melnichenko confirmed the attack, saying drone debris damaged power lines and fell on an unfinished building. He reported no casualties.
Later, he said a drone strike targeted the city itself, adding that emergency services were working at the site.
Social media reports suggested heavy smoke near the State Bearing Plant after the strike.
OSINT monitors from Exilenova+ claimed geolocation analysis pointed to a hit on the Scientific Research Institute of Physical Measurements (JSC “NDIFI”), which produces sensors used in aviation and missile systems.
The facility is reportedly part of the Roscosmos structure and is under US and Ukrainian sanctions.
According to Exilenova+, the enterprise develops pressure sensors (both excess and absolute), as well as linear and angular displacement sensors used in aviation equipment.
The report states that its products are used in aircraft, helicopters, and various weapon systems, including the Bulava, Topol-M, Sineva ICBMs, and Iskander missile systems.
The company also supplies pressure sensors for engines used in Kh-101 and Kh-59M2/Kh-59M2A cruise missiles, as well as measurement systems for the Su-34 aircraft. For the Su-57 fighter jet, it reportedly produces DAV-096 absolute pressure sensors.
The Russian outlet Astra also confirmed that one of the attacked facilities in Penza is JSC “NDIFI”.
In addition, Astra, citing OSINT analysis, reported that the Mayak electrical substation in Penza – located near the Mayak pulp and paper mill (JSC “Mayak”) – was likely also hit.
OJSC “Mayak” is the oldest pulp and paper mill in Penza, founded in 1850, and is among the largest manufacturers of paper products in Russia.
Zelensky did not specify the names of the targeted facilities in his statement, while Russian authorities traditionally do not disclose such details.
At the same time, monitoring groups have not yet independently confirmed a strike on the bearing plant.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said it intercepted and destroyed 179 Ukrainian drones overnight across multiple regions, including border areas and central Russia, as well as over the Black Sea and Azov Sea.
Julia is a Deputy Head of News and correspondent for Kyiv Post who has previously worked as a parliamentary editor, journalist, and news editor. She has specialized in covering the work of the Ukrainian parliament, government, and law enforcement agencies.