On the night of 22 October 2025, Ukrainian drones struck a defense plant in Saransk, Mordovia, and an oil refinery in Makhachkala, Dagestan, targeting facilities crucial to Russia's war effort, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed.
This deep-strike operation signals a strategic shift, proving Ukraine's capacity to systematically degrade critical Russian military assets far behind the front lines. This matters because it forces Moscow to stretch its air defenses thin and jeopardizes its logistical capacity to sustain the war.
What happened during the overnight strikes
Units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine conducted a series of strikes on strategic targets within the Russian Federation. In Saransk, the capital of Mordovia, explosions were reported at the Saransk Mechanical Plant. Simultaneously, in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, a strike hit the city's oil refinery, with local videos showing a significant fire at one of the processing units. The independent Russian news outlet Astra published footage showing the moment of impact and the subsequent blaze at the refinery.
Why these targets matter strategically
The selected targets are integral to the Russian military's operational capacity. The Saransk Mechanical Plant is a key producer of anti-personnel engineering munitions, mine-laying kits, and detonators for various ammunition types. The Makhachkala Oil Refinery "Dagnotech" is a primary supplier of fuel for the Caspian Fleet's naval base, refueling Russian warships and handling up to one million tons of oil products annually. Hitting these facilities directly degrades Russia's ability to produce ammunition and supply its naval forces.
The campaign to degrade Russian logistics
These attacks are part of a larger, ongoing Ukrainian campaign to cripple Russia's defense-industrial complex and energy infrastructure. Throughout 2024 and 2025, Ukrainian forces have systematically targeted oil refineries, depots, and manufacturing plants deep inside Russia to disrupt supply lines and reduce the resources available for the front lines.
Implications for Russia's war machine
The successful strikes force Russia to reconsider the security of its strategic rear, stretching its air defense resources over a vast territory. The disruption at the Saransk plant could create bottlenecks in ammunition supply, while the damage in Makhachkala directly impacts the operational readiness of the Caspian Fleet.
Key facts from the strikes
- Date: Night of 22 October 2025
- Location 1: Saransk, Republic of Mordovia (approx. 650 km from the Ukrainian border)
- Target 1: Saransk Mechanical Plant (produces military munitions and components)
- Location 2: Makhachkala, Republic of Dagestan (approx. 800 km from the Ukrainian border)
- Target 2: Makhachkala Oil Refinery "Dagnotech" (supplies fuel to the Russian Caspian Fleet)
