Explosions Rock Russian Oil Depot in Ryazan — Second Attack in 48 Hours (Video)

The Ryazan oil refinery in Russia has been struck by another massive fire following a fresh drone attack in the early hours of 26 January, marking the second such incident in just two days. The facility, located approximately 180 kilometres southeast of Moscow and 460 kilometres from Ukraine, has become a repeated target in recent assaults suspected to be linked to Ukraine’s growing campaign against Russian military and fuel infrastructure.

This latest attack follows one of the most extensive drone offensives on Russian soil, which severely impacted both the Ryazan oil processing plant and the Novo-Ryazan thermal power plant. Over the past year, Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone operations, strategically targeting Russian bomb warehouses, ammunition depots, and oil facilities. These attacks have significantly disrupted Moscow’s fuel and arms supply chains, hampering its military efforts. Meanwhile, Russia continues its relentless bombardment of Ukrainian cities with nightly drone, missile, and bomb attacks, showing no sign of de-escalation.

Russian Telegram channels have reported that the attack on Ryazan Oblast lasted for nearly three hours. According to the pro-Kremlin Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, the drone assault began at approximately 00:30, escalating into a full-scale strike with “dozens of drones” participating by 00:50. Locals reported loud explosions, confirming the presence of drones targeting the oil facility.

Ryazan Oblast Governor Pavel Malkov acknowledged the attack and the subsequent fire but refrained from confirming any damage to the oil facility itself. Instead, he insisted that Russian air defence and electronic warfare systems had successfully destroyed all incoming drones, stating, “According to preliminary information, there are no casualties, and material damage is still being assessed. All emergency services are working.”

However, conflicting reports from independent Russian news sources suggest otherwise. The Telegram news channel Astra cited local residents who complained about explosions and subsequent fires, indicating that the oil depot had indeed been struck. Later updates from VChK-OGPU reported that the fire at the facility had intensified, contradicting official claims that all drones were intercepted.

The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that it had shot down a total of 15 drones overnight, with eight allegedly downed over Ryazan Oblast, six over Kursk Oblast, and one over Belgorod Oblast. While Russian authorities routinely claim that their air defences neutralise all incoming drones, repeated fires and explosions at critical sites suggest otherwise.

This surge in drone attacks is part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to weaken Russia’s war logistics by disrupting fuel supplies deep within its territory. Despite Moscow’s continued denials, repeated fires at critical energy and military infrastructure are exposing the vulnerability of Russian defences.

External Video: Second Fire in Days Engulfs Russia’s Ryazan Oil Depot