Ukraine expands deep counter-offensive with strikes on refinery and missile industry inside Russia

Ukraine expands deep counter-offensive with strikes on refinery and missile industry inside Russia

In response to a massive overnight strike of 151 drones, Kyiv demonstrates military self-sufficiency by hitting strategic targets over 1,300 km from the border; diplomatic scenario with Poland takes a complex turn.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have elevated the strategic level of their long-range operations over the past 24 hours. In a demonstration of technical capability and the consolidation of its domestic defense industry—which is currently operating at an accelerated pace—the country carried out precise strikes against critical infrastructure located deep within Russian territory, while simultaneously neutralizing one of the largest coordinated aerial assaults against its own cities in recent months.

Blows to the Heart of Russian Infrastructure and Military Logistics

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the success of a long-range operation that struck a major oil refinery in Ufa, located more than 1,300 kilometers from the front line. The direct impact of the action is already reverberating through Russia's domestic market, causing local supply shortages and queues at fuel stations.

In parallel, Ukrainian forces targeted the National Institute of Physical Metrology (NIIFI) in Penza. The facility is a key asset within the Roscosmos framework and is responsible for manufacturing high-precision sensors integrated into Russian *Iskander*, Kalibr, and Kh-101 missiles. The strike aims to choke the Kremlin's supply chain and its replenishment of high-tech weaponry.

High-Performance Air Shield Overnight

The efficiency of Ukrainian aerospace defense was tested to its limit overnight, facing a Russian onslaught composed of 151 attack drones (including Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas variants), as well as ballistic and guided missiles.

Monitoring systems confirmed the interception and downing of at least 130 drones and one Kh-59 missile. Debris was reported across 16 different localities in the northern, eastern, and southern regions of the country, causing isolated material damage but with no immediate reports of fatalities—a reflection of maturing alert protocols and deployed air defense barriers.

Diplomatic Challenges on the European Chessboard

Despite advances on the battlefield and the formalization of major new agreements—such as the contract for the acquisition of Gripen E fighter jets—the diplomatic front faces turbulence in Central Europe:

Warsaw-Kyiv Tension: Polish authorities expressed strong dissatisfaction with recent statements from the Ukrainian leadership regarding the National Pantheon. Deep historical disagreements and the memory of past political figures have returned to the negotiating table.

EU Accession at Stake: The Polish government publicly signaled that the definitive resolution of these historical grievances could become an explicit condition for Warsaw's support of Ukraine's admission process into the European Union.

Military Logistics: In line with this temporary cooling, the Polish Ministry of Defense readjusted the dispatch of remaining MiG fighters, justifying their retention based on its own national security needs.

On the ground front, the Ukrainian General Staff reports high-intensity combat in the Kharkiv region, containing Russian infiltration attempts in the Kozacha Lopan area, maintaining restructured defensive lines, and inflicting severe material losses on the invading army.