Ukraine struck the Yaroslavl Oil Refinery and Russian Air Force targets in Rostov, — Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that on the night of September 17, during a joint operation by the SBU, the Unmanned Systems Forces, the Main Intelligence Directorate, and the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, the Yaroslavl Oil Refinery was struck, as were Russian aircraft at a military airfield in Rostov. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the destruction of one An-12 aircraft, two An-26 aircraft, and three helicopters has been confirmed.
“I thank our soldiers, who make the war a tangible reality for Russia every day. Last night, thanks to a joint operation by the SBU, the Special Forces Service (SBS), the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), and the Foreign Intelligence Service (SZR), the Yaroslavl Oil Refinery was struck. The Security Service also carried out a precise strike on the military airfield in Rostov—the destruction of one An-12 aircraft, two An-26s, and three more helicopters has been confirmed. There have also been positive results in the Black Sea,” Zelenskyy said.
The president also emphasized: “Russia must choose peace.”
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the “Rostov-on-Don (Central)” airfield in the Rostov Region of the Russian Federation was struck.
A fire was reported on the facility’s grounds, followed by an explosion.
The General Staff confirmed the destruction of:
two An-26 transport aircraft;
one An-12 transport aircraft;
three helicopters.
The “Slavneft-YANOS” oil refinery in the Yaroslavl region of the Russian Federation was targeted separately.
Damage and a fire were reported at the facility’s primary oil refining unit.
“Slavneft-YANOS” is one of Russia’s largest oil refineries. According to the company’s own data, its average annual refining capacity is approximately 15 million metric tons of crude oil. The plant produces automotive gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel, fuel oil, bitumen, lubricants, and other petroleum products.
According to the information provided in the report, the company is involved in supplying the Russian Armed Forces.
Thus, during a single joint operation, Ukrainian forces struck a Russian oil refinery and a military airfield with aircraft and helicopters.
The General Staff separately confirmed the results of the strike on Russia’s aviation and oil refining infrastructure.
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on the results of the operation in a Facebook post.
Units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces struck or destroyed 2,034 enemy targets over the past 24 hours. Among the equipment and personnel hit were more than 550 occupiers and 16 artillery systems.
Russian oil refineries earned 938 billion rubles, or about $10.4 billion, in the first six months of 2026. This is 16.2% more than during the same period last year.
