Ukraine's military reportedly strikes Russian oil refinery, defense technology center

Ukrainian military forces reportedly conducted overnight strikes on May 8 targeting key Russian military-industrial sites. A fire erupted at the Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery in Yaroslavl, one of Russia’s five largest refineries with an annual capacity of over 15 million tons. Separately, explosions were reported in Rostov-on-Don’s industrial zone, affecting the Empils paint coating facility and a branch of the Radar Scientific and Technical Center, a defense research firm linked to Russia’s military radar development. Local residents shared photos and videos of the Yaroslavl refinery fire on Telegram channels, while explosions in Rostov-on-Don were confirmed by multiple reports. Yaroslavl lies 700 kilometers from Ukraine’s border and 230 kilometers northeast of Moscow, while Rostov-on-Don is about 230 kilometers from the front line. Both locations have been targeted in prior Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian military and industrial infrastructure. In occupied Crimea, a fire was observed at an electrical substation in Krasnoperekopsk, according to the Crimean Wind Telegram channel. NASA’s fire monitoring system also detected a potential fire near the PJSC BROM chemical plant, though no visual confirmation has emerged. The plant specializes in bromine production. Ukraine has frequently used drones to attack Russian oil and defense facilities, though the specific weaponry used in this latest strike remains unconfirmed. Neither Ukraine’s military nor Russian authorities have yet provided official statements on the attacks or their extent of damage.