Russia says Ukraine struck its oil refineries and gas‑chemical complex

Russia says Ukraine struck its oil refineries and a gas‑chemical complex on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, according to statements from the Russian deputy prime minister and other officials. The attacks were described as a revival of a pause that had briefly halted previous strikes on these facilities.

Alexander Novak addressed the situation in a briefing held in Moscow. He said,

We had a pause for some time, but today attacks on refineries have resumed, and our enterprises are working on defense.

Novak added that only one of the three refineries sustained minor damage and that Russian air defense systems performed as expected during the attacks.

In a separate statement released to the press, Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Kremlin, downplayed the significance of the events. He noted that the attacks will not complicate preparations for a trilateral meeting on Ukraine settlement planned for November.

There are no restrictions on military operations during the preparatory period. Moscow does not plan to raise the issue during the coming negotiations, he said.

These remarks come after Reuters and other outlets reported that Ukrainian drones struck three Russian oil refineries and a gas‑chemical complex earlier in the day. The attacks followed a brief pause in the pattern of assaults that has been a hallmark of the ongoing conflict.

"Ukraine has resumed its attacks on Russian oil refineries after a brief pause," an RTE news brief confirmed, pointing to the same set of facilities that Russia had cited.

CGTN’s live feed corroborated this action, noting that Ukrainian drones bombed the refineries and the gas‑chemical complex on the same Friday. The channel provided live footage of damaged infrastructure and air‑defense response.

The government’s statements emphasize that the damage is limited and that Russia’s defensive capabilities are functioning as intended. They also suggest that the government is preparing for diplomatic engagements and is not seeking to revise the timeline of those talks due to the strikes.

The fact that Russia’s officials are attributing the attacks to drones signals a shift from the heavier aerial assaults seen earlier in the war. This approach could reflect a change in tactics by Ukrainian forces, aiming to minimize collateral damage while targeting key energy infrastructure.

The three refineries have been central to Russia’s energy exports, and their operational status is closely monitored by the international community. The gas‑chemical complex also plays a role in the production of petrochemical products, amplifying the economic significance of the attack.

While the Russian side reports only minor damage, the exact scope of the damage remains unclear due to limited access for international observers on the ground. No independent assessment has yet been released, and the official narrative relies heavily on press releases from the Russian government.

Air defense performance was highlighted as a key point in Novak’s brief. The Russian military’s early warning and interception systems reportedly engaged the incoming drones. However, the specific types of defense employed and their success rate were not disclosed.

The Kremlin’s statement indicates that the government intends to dissociate the attacks from any diplomatic negotiations that are set for November. By stating that there are no restrictions on military operations during the preparation period, they signal a continued commitment to their strategic objectives.

Overall, the event underscores the ongoing volatility of the conflict and the persistent targeting of infrastructure critical to both military and civilian economies. The international community is awaiting further developments and official statements regarding the subsequent impact on broader geopolitical negotiations.