Smoke rises from the oil refinery in Syzran in Russia’s Samara region following a Ukrainian drone strike, May 21, 2026

EA-Ukraine VideoCast: Kyiv’s Drone Strikes Rock Moscow

Wednesday’s Coverage: Zelensky Hails “Frontline Changes” in Kyiv’s Favor

UPDATE 0643 GMT:

Ukraine’s air defenses downed 109 of 116 drones fired by Russia overnight. Five UAVs and a ballistic missile struck four locations.

UPDATE 0634 GMT:

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reaffirmed UK support for Ukraine, after London relaxed strict sanctions on Russian crude.

A revised UK license was issued on Tuesday because soaring oil costs amid the US-Israel Wars on Iran and Lebanon. It allows imports of fuel refined from Russian oil via third countries. A separate license allowing maritime transport of Russian liqueifed natural gas was also issued.

British officials acknowledged the rollout had been handled “clumsily,” with Trade Minister Chris Bryant apologizing for the confusion and saying the measures would be suspended as soon as possible.

In the call with Zelensky, Starmer outlined the UK’s efforts to intensify pressure on Moscow, including a newly-announced sanctions package.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: Ukraine has struck more oil refineries inside Russia as President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks of “long-range sanctions” against Moscow’s 51-month full-scale invasion.

Residents reported that Kyiv hit the refinery in Syzran in the Samara region in southwest Russia overnight. Samara Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said two people were killed.

The facility is about 700 km (440 miles) northeast of Ukraine’s border with Russia.

Sources said all major refineries in central Russia have halted or rolled back production because of the strikes.

The Kirishi refinery, one of Russia’s largest with a processing capacity of around 20 to 21 million tons of oil per year, has been shut down since May 5. Complexes in Nizhny Novgorod, Ryazan, and Yaroslavl have been affected.

Production was suspended at the Moscow oil refinery after attacks last Sunday.

The affected refineries produce 30% of Russia’s gasoline output and 25% of its diesel output.

The Kstovo oil refinery was targeted on Wednesday. It is unclear if the facility has sustained partial production.

Zelensky summmarized in his nightly address to the nation:

Our long-range plan for May is being carried out…in full. The key targets are Russian oil refineries, storage facilities, and other infrastructure tied to these oil revenues.