Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to attack russian oil industry with a new strike launched overnight May 1st, 2024. This time, the target was the oil refining plant in immediate proximity to the city of Ryazan, over 460 km away from the border with Ukraine, and unconfirmed reports also suggest a simultaneous attack directed at a same-type facility in the Voronezh region.
Worth noting, the previous attack on the Ryazan oil refinery on March 13th had also reached the target, causing flames reportedly associated with oil reservoirs burning. However, this time the strike landed on the valuable equipment on this plant, namely the crude oil distillation unit. Though the real marker of the situation is the fact that this oil plant neighbors the Dyagilevo air base.
Read more: Ukrainian Drones Strike Deep Inside russia, Hitting Ryazan Oil Refinery (Video)
This air base hosts not some ordinary aircraft but a whole training center for pilots, the 203rd Air Refueling Regiment, and occasionally Tu-22M3 strategic bombers. At least until September 2023 when a modified Tu-141 Strizh drone landed a hit on the airfield, forcing the russian command to relocate the bombers to a safer place.
The airfield is also used by the 360th Aircraft Repair Plant specializing in Tu-22M3, Tu-95MS and IL-76 aircraft models and their derivatives.
Both oil refinery and the airfield are installations of strategic importance for russia but despite their status, the air defense still hasn't been fixed, even after being subjected to systematic attacks from Ukrainians.
A similar situation is observed in Alabuga special economic zone where russian engineers manufacture and develop Shahed-136 loitering munitions. Alongside the Shahed production, the area accommodates a KamAZ heavy vehicle factory and the Nizhnekamsk Hydroelectric Station. Despite such concentration of important facilities, the adjacent airspace remains poorly covered.
Read more: russians Enhance Strike Tactics, Posing a Significant Threat to HIMARS, Patriot, Helicopter Pads, etc
