Ukraine flew drones almost to the Urals — and hit an oil refinery 1700 km away Russia thought was out of reach

Ukrainian drones struck a Lukoil oil refinery in Ukhta, Komi Republic, roughly 1,700 km from Ukraine in a straight line, in what appears to be the longest confirmed drone strike of the war, while a separate overnight wave set fire to a defense plant in Tambov Oblast and disrupted power across Bryansk Oblast. Ukraine's General Staff confirmed hits on the Progress defense factory and several more attacks.

Drones reach Lukoil refinery near Ural Mountains

Attack drones hit the Lukoil-Ukhtanaftepererabotka refinery in Ukhta on the morning of 12 February, sending thick black smoke over the facility, Russian news Telegram channel Astra reported. Published footage showed drones in flight resembling Ukraine's long-range Liutyi kamikaze drone.

The Ukhta refinery processed about 2 mn tons of crude oil in 2020.

The Liutyi is a Ukrainian attack drone with a claimed range of about 2,000 km, Militarnyi notes. It carries a 50-75 kg warhead and uses artificial intelligence for autonomous navigation, making it resistant to Russian electronic warfare systems that spoof GPS signals. 

A drone over the city of Ukhta, 12 February 2026. Photo: Telegram/Operatyvnyi ZSU

The Ukhta strike likely sets a new distance record for Ukrainian drone attacks.

Prevous record strikes were hundreds kilometers shorter.

In May 2024, Ukrainian drones hit a Russian early-warning radar in Orsk, near the Kazakhstan border, roughly 1,500 km from the front line. Last October and November, the drones struck an oil facility in the same town.

Ukrainian drones have also repeatedly targeted Russia's Shahed drone plant in Yelabuga, Tatarstan, about 1,150 km from Ukraine's border. 

Defense plant producing missile guidance systems struck for second time

Attack drones hit the Michurinsk Progress Plant in Tambov Oblast overnight on 12 February, Militarnyi reported. A fire broke out on the plant's premises after the strikes. Tambov Oblast Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov confirmed the attack.

Before the explosions, locals heard small-arms fire as Russians attempted to shoot down the drones. A series of blasts followed, igniting a fire on the factory grounds.

Smoke rising over Michurinsk, Tambov Oblast, after a drone attack on the Progress defense plant, 12 February 2026. Photo: Telegram/Exilenova+

This was the second confirmed attack on the Progress plant. Drones first struck the facility in June 2025, causing significant damage.

Drone attack disrupts Bryansk Oblast power supply

As Russia continues its daily campaign of strikes against Ukraine's energy grid, Ukrainian forces carried out a retaliatory strike in Bryansk Oblast that caused energy disruptions. Ukrainian Telegram channel Supernova+ published video of one of the hits, which produced a powerful flash.

"Lights are periodically flickering in residents' homes," local outlet Novosti Bryanskoy Oblasti reported. 

Some streets lost power entirely, while other districts experienced sharp voltage surges. Fires were also reported, likely caused by debris or direct hits.

Ukraine's General Staff confirms multiple targets

Ukraine's General Staff confirmed the strike on the Michurinsk Progress Plant, describing it as an enterprise producing high-tech equipment for aviation and missile systems that supports the Russian army. A fire broke out on the plant's territory, according to preliminary information, with damage still being assessed.

The General Staff also reported hits on Russian ammunition depots near the settlements of Terpinnia and Rozivka in the Russian-occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

The General Staff also said that overnight on 12 February, Ukrainian forces also struck a GRAU (Main Missile and Artillery Directorate) arsenal for comprehensive storage of missiles, ammunition, and explosives near Kotluban in Volgograd Oblast, using the FP-5 Flamingo long-range missiles. 

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Additionally, the GenStaff confirmed results of the 11 February strike on the Lukoil Volgogradneftepererabotka refinery in Volgograd Oblast. The strike damaged the main primary oil processing unit ELOU-AVT-1, elements of the AVT-3 unit, and infrastructure on the refinery's territory, the military says. Secondary processing facilities at the site either reduced output or halted operations entirely.