Ukrainian forces have conducted a series of long-range drone strikes on the territory of the Russian Federation. The latest attack, which occurred on Thursday, damaged a key Iskander and Oreshnik missile factory in Votkinsk, Udmurtia. Earlier, on the night from Wednesday to Thursday, an oil depot in Velikiye Luki and a fuel base in the Pskov region were targeted. The Security Service of Ukraine has claimed responsibility for these operations, emphasizing their strategic goal of weakening Russia's military potential.

Attack on missile factory

According to Reuters reports, Ukrainian drones attacked a plant in Votkinsk where Iskander and Oreshnik missiles are produced. The governor of Udmurtia confirmed damage and injuries.

Destruction of fuel infrastructure

Earlier strikes hit an oil depot in Velikiye Luki and a fuel base in the Pskov region, causing fires and explosions. The target was located 500 km from the border with Ukraine.

Strategy of weakening the opponent

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) explains that destroying fuel bases directly impacts the combat capabilities of Russia, hindering offensives and the movement of reserves.

Range and effectiveness of attacks

Attacks on targets in Udmurtia and the Pskov region demonstrate Ukraine's ability to conduct long-range precision strikes deep within enemy territory, bypassing its defenses.

The Ukrainian armed forces continue their strategy of striking key military and logistical infrastructure on the territory of the Russian Federation. The most recent attack, reported on February 20, 2026, took place in the city of Votkinsk in the republic of Udmurtia. According to reports from the Reuters news agency, Ukrainian drones attacked a factory there that produces precision Iskander ballistic missiles and Oreshnik cruise missiles. The local governor, Aleksandr Brechalov, confirmed the incident, reporting damage to facilities and injuries.

This attack is part of a broader, synchronized campaign. Already on the night of February 18-19, Ukrainian long-range drones struck two fuel facilities in western Russia. The first target was an oil depot in Velikiye Luki, a city in the Pskov region located near the borders with Belarus and Latvia. Local Russian authorities described the incident as a „“hostile unmanned aerial vehicle attack”” — Local Russian authorities, which led to a fire in one of the tanks. Simultaneously, the same night saw an attack on a Russian fuel base also in the Pskov region, confirmed by an anonymous official of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). An SBU source, cited by Business Insider, emphasized that the attacked facility in Velikiye Luki was located about 500 kilometers from the border with Ukraine, illustrating the growing range of the Ukrainian arsenal. The official also pointed out the ineffectiveness of Russian air defenses in protecting this type of critical infrastructure.

Since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv has gradually developed capabilities to conduct attacks deep within enemy territory. The first drone strikes on targets in Crimea and in Russia's border regions were recorded in 2022. In 2023 and 2024, these attacks became more regular and began to include targets located hundreds of kilometers from the front line, including strategic air force airfields and arms manufacturing plants.

The strategic rationale for these operations was explained by an SBU official, stating: „“Destroying fuel bases directly impacts the enemy's ability to conduct combat operations, offensives, and move personnel reserves. Such operations are part of systematically weakening Russia's military potential”” — Security Service of Ukraine official. The goal, therefore, is not only to inflict direct material damage but also to disrupt the supply chains of the Russian army, which in the longer term is intended to hinder its ability to conduct offensives. The series of attacks in mid-February 2026 shows the evolution of Ukrainian military doctrine, which is increasingly boldly transferring offensive operations onto the aggressor's territory, using drone technology to precisely strike logistical hubs and arms production centers. These successes also call into question the effectiveness of Russian air defense in protecting its vast rear areas.

Mentioned People