Drones attacked Yaroslavl refinery: fire and explosions in Russia on May 8

A night when explosions woke up several regions of Russia, and smoke over Yaroslavl became visible for dozens of kilometers.

On the night of May 8, 2026, Russian regions from Moscow to Rostov-on-Don again felt the effects of long-range strikes. Reports of downed drones, fires at industrial facilities, and damage to civilian infrastructure came almost simultaneously from several regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the strike on an oil refinery in Yaroslavl, located more than 700 kilometers from the border.

Scale of attack: 26 drones and one missile

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported several times during the night on the work of air defense. According to him, air defense forces shot down at least 26 drones heading towards the capital. Yaroslavl Region Governor Mikhail Evraev said that the attack on the approach to the city was repelled with the help of electronic warfare. However, within a few hours, footage appeared showing a large fire on the territory of the Slavneft-YANOS plant, one of the largest oil refineries in the Central Federal District.

OSINT channel ASTRA has released eyewitness video showing columns of smoke clearly visible over the western industrial zone of Yaroslavl. The enterprise specializes in oil refining and the production of fuels and lubricants. It provides a significant part of the needs of the central regions of Russia. After the strike, tanks and technological installations were recorded burning at the plant.

Rostov region: damage in four settlements

Acting Governor of Rostov Region Yuri Slyusar reported the destruction of several drones and one missile. Falling debris was recorded in Taganrog, Bataysk, Rostov-on-Don and Myasnikov District. In Rostov, residential buildings, a gas pipeline and a truck were damaged. A fire also broke out in an administrative building. In Myasnikov District, warehouses caught fire after the missile hit, and one of them partially collapsed.

OSINT analysts have recorded a fire in the area of ​​the Western Industrial Zone of Rostov. The Empils Paints and Coatings Plant is located there, one of the largest chemical enterprises in southern Russia. The enterprise was already attacked in January 2026. Nearby is a branch of the Radar Scientific and Technical Center, which develops special-purpose complexes and cooperates with the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Zelensky: "Ukrainian long-range sanctions continue to operate"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy directly confirmed the strike on the Yaroslavl oil refinery in his morning address on May 8. He stressed that the facility was of strategic importance for financing Russia's war. Zelenskyy thanked the Defense Forces and military intelligence for the operation. "Ukrainian long-range sanctions continued to operate in response to Russian strikes on our cities and villages," the head of state noted.

Fuel crisis in Russia: preliminary blows and consequences

Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries have become one of the key factors that have exacerbated the fuel situation in the Russian Federation. According to independent analysts, more than 15 large refineries have been affected since the beginning of 2025. This has led to a reduction in gasoline and diesel fuel production by 12–15%. Additional pressure has been created by economic miscalculations, inflation, and limited reserves. In a number of regions, fuel shortages at gas stations and a 20–30% price increase have already been recorded.

The Yaroslavl plant "Slavneft-YANOS" is among the ten largest oil refiners in Russia. Its capacity is over 15 million tons of oil per year. The loss of even part of the capacity of this enterprise increases tension in the domestic market. Experts predict a further increase in fuel prices in the central regions of the country.

Reaction of local residents and new details from the regions

Residents of Yaroslavl and Rostov-on-Don reported numerous explosions and flares overnight. In Yaroslavl, people posted videos on social media showing air defense systems operating over the city. In Rostov, eyewitnesses recorded a fire near the Empils plant and the Radar science center. Local Telegram channels shared footage showing columns of smoke rising above the industrial zone.

On May 7, a day before the events described, Perm Krai Governor Dmitry Makhonin reported a drone attack on one of the region's industrial enterprises. This indicates the systematic nature of the strikes on facilities related to the military-industrial complex and energy.

International context and consequences for the war

Strikes on Russian oil refineries and defense facilities have been part of a strategy that Ukraine has been implementing for more than a year. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) note that such operations limit Russia's ability to finance the fighting and provide the army with fuel. At the same time, they force the Russian leadership to transfer additional air defense assets from the front to protect rear facilities.

According to Western experts, the losses of the Russian oil refining industry from Ukrainian drones in 2025-2026 will exceed 3,5 million tons of refined oil per month. This affects not only the domestic market, but also export supplies. Some European countries, which have previously received Russian fuel through intermediaries, are already recording an increase in energy prices.