Ukrainian Drones Strike Russia's Ryazan Oil Refinery, Killing Four in Apartment Building

Ukrainian drones targeted a significant oil refinery in Ryazan, Russia, on May 15, 2026, leading to a large-scale fire. The attack also hit an apartment building, with eyewitness video showing an explosion that killed at least four people, according to local officials. The refinery, one of Russia's largest, was damaged, and the attack is part of a broader pattern of Ukrainian drone strikes aimed at disrupting Russian oil operations. Sources report varying details on the scale of the attack. The Kyiv Independent and The Straits Times confirmed the strike on the refinery, while Rferl detailed the casualties in the apartment building. Tass noted the damage to two residential buildings, but did not specify casualties. Ukrinform reported that Ukrainian drone attacks have paralyzed oil refining operations in Russia, a claim supported by multiple outlets. The attack occurred in Ryazan, a city southeast of Moscow, and is part of a series of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian infrastructure. The event underscores the intensifying conflict and the strategic focus on disrupting Russia's energy sector.