On the night of Thursday, 17 September, Ukraine's Defence Forces struck the Yaroslavl oil refinery and a military airfield in Rostov.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this on his social media accounts.

“I thank our soldiers who make the war tangible for Russia every day. Last night, thanks to a joint operation by the SBU, the Unmanned Systems Forces, the Defence Intelligence and the Foreign Intelligence Service, the Yaroslavl refinery was hit,” the head of state wrote.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the target was the Slavneft-YANOS plant. A fire was recorded at the AVT-3 primary crude oil processing unit following the strike.

“Slavneft-YANOS is one of Russia’s largest oil refineries and part of PJSC Slavneft. Its capacity is around 15 million tonnes of crude oil per year. The plant carries out a full refining cycle and produces motor petrol, diesel and aviation fuel, fuel oil, bitumen and other petroleum products. It is involved in meeting the needs of Russia’s armed forces,” the statement reads.

The Unmanned Systems Forces, for their part, reported that the Yaroslavl refinery, located more than 700 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, was hit by operators of the 1st Separate Centre of the Unmanned Systems Forces and the 414th Madyar’s Birds Brigade.

In addition, hits on an An-12 aircraft, two An-26s and three helicopters have been confirmed at the airfield in Rostov.

“There are good results in the Black Sea as well. We respond to aggression every day. Russia must choose peace,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.