Latest News on the War in Ukraine: Ukraine Confirms Strikes on Russian Oil Infrastructure Despite Calls to Reduce Attacks Amid Rising Fuel Prices

In a significant escalation of hostilities, Ukrainian drones struck the Lukoil oil refinery in Kstovo, Russia, and an oil terminal in the Leningrad region on the night of April 5, 2026, as confirmed by Ukrainian drone commander Robert "Madyar" Brovdi. These attacks come amidst growing international pressure on Ukraine from foreign allies to suspend drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, particularly in light of rising global fuel prices due to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel in Iran.

Russian officials from Nizhny Novgorod and the Leningrad region reported that Ukrainian drones caused damage to oil processing facilities and pipelines. "At night, air defense forces repelled an attack by 30 enemy drones. As a result of falling debris, two facilities (of the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez refinery) were damaged," stated Gleb Nikitin, the governor of Nizhny Novgorod, on April 5, according to the Russian Telegram channel ASTRA.

Alexander Drozdenko, the governor of the Leningrad region, reported on his Telegram channel that a pipeline near the port of Primorsk was damaged by drone debris. Photos and videos shared on social media showed large flames erupting from the refinery. A significant explosion was visible, illuminating the night sky over what is claimed to be the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez refinery in Nizhny Novgorod.

The Lukoil refinery, which has previously been targeted by Ukrainian strikes, is located approximately 800 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The oil terminal in Primorsk has also faced Ukrainian attacks in recent weeks, with strikes occurring over several nights at the end of March.

Ukraine regularly targets military and industrial sites in Russia using long-range drones, with oil refineries often becoming prime targets. Kyiv considers these facilities to be legitimate military objectives as they fuel and finance the Kremlin's military operations.

The United States imposed sanctions on Lukoil and another Russian energy company, Rosneft, in October 2025, freezing Lukoil's assets in the U.S. and threatening secondary sanctions against foreign entities cooperating with them. These sanctions, which were the first such measures implemented under the Trump administration, aimed to pressure Moscow into engaging in peace talks regarding Ukraine, as revenues from fossil fuels play a crucial role in sustaining Russia's military efforts.

Despite the sanctions, following the outbreak of war in Iran, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a temporary license on March 12, allowing countries to purchase Russian oil that is currently stranded at sea in an attempt to stabilize global energy prices.

Oil prices have surged amid the escalation of the ongoing war in Iran, which has now entered its sixth week. Energy facilities in the Middle East have become targets during the conflict, while Iran has also closed the Strait of Hormuz—a key waterway through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes.

Russia's terrorist campaign against Ukrainian civilians has resulted in at least 16 deaths and 94 injuries over the past day, despite Kyiv's calls for a ceasefire during Easter. In one of the deadliest attacks, a Russian drone struck a market in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region, killing at least five people and injuring 27 on the morning of April 4, according to the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office. Around the same time, Russian forces struck a residential area in Kharkiv, injuring five people, as reported by the Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office.

During the night, Russian strikes in Dnipropetrovsk region injured a five-month-old baby, a six-year-old boy, and a 41-year-old woman, as fires engulfed areas, reported Alexander Ganzha, the governor of Dnipropetrovsk region. Another Russian drone flew through an apartment in Sumy during a massive nighttime attack. A total of 13 injuries have been reported, including a 15-year-old girl, according to the Sumy City Council.

On the eve of these attacks, Russian airstrikes on Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, killed six people and injured 10, hitting residential buildings, businesses, and critical infrastructure, reported Donetsk region governor Vadim Filashkin. Russian forces attacked 11 districts in Kharkiv region, including the city of Kharkiv, using glide bombs and drones on April 3 and 4, killing four people and injuring 11, reported Kharkiv region governor Oleg Synegubov. Russian attacks on Kherson region on April 3 killed one person and injured 25 others, reported governor Alexander Prokudin.

These attacks come as Catholics and Protestants prepare to celebrate Easter on April 5, while Eastern Orthodox Easter is celebrated on April 12 this year. President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a ceasefire during the religious holidays, but Moscow responded by intensifying its attacks.

Last month saw some of the heaviest air campaigns from Russia, with 6,500 drone attacks and nearly 8,000 glide bombs, setting a record for the war.

Reports indicate that Ukrainian forces also struck defense and chemical industrial facilities in the Russian cities of Taganrog and Tolyatti on the night of April 4, according to Russian Telegram channels.

In Tolyatti, videos shared on social media showed fires burning in the vicinity of the Tolyattikauchuk and KuibyshevAzot chemical plants, which are located next to each other in the Samara region.

The Samara region, which regularly becomes a target for strikes deep within Russian territory, is located approximately 750 kilometers from the Ukrainian-Russian border.

Russian sources reported that several drones hit this area, causing fires at industrial facilities, although the full extent of the damage remains unknown.

In Taganrog, reports indicate that two defense enterprises were damaged in a separate drone attack.