[Video] Ukrainians cause fear and trembling in remote Tatarstan

Ukrainian forces have struck two oil refineries deep within Russian territory, according to reports from multiple media outlets. The attacks targeted the Slavneft-Janos refinery in the city of Jaroslavl and another facility in Bashkortostan. These strikes occurred on August 6, 2026, with the last known strike recorded at 11:52 local time. The Ukrainian military has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which were carried out using long-range weaponry. President Volodimir Zelensky posted on social media, stating that Ukrainian forces had attacked both refineries and also hit two naval patrol boats belonging to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. He emphasized that Russia must choose peace. The attack on the Slavneft-Janos refinery in Jaroslavl, located approximately 700 kilometers from the Ukraine-Russia border and 280 kilometers from Moscow, was described as one of the largest such operations against the site. Governor Mikhail Evraev of Jaroslavl reported that Ukraine had launched 92 drones in this operation, all of which were destroyed, though their remnants caused fires in three homes and damaged several residential buildings. Four people were injured in the incident. Evraev confirmed that the refinery itself was hit, with smoke rising from its location. The refinery, built in 1961, processes around 15 million tons of crude oil annually and employs approximately 3,500 workers. In addition to the attacks on the refineries, Ukrainian forces reportedly struck a naval patrol boat in the Black Sea, further escalating tensions. Meanwhile, Russian authorities stated they had intercepted and destroyed 605 Ukrainian drones across various regions, including in the Moscow region, along the Black Sea coast, and in Jaroslavl. The Russian defense ministry also noted that 25 Russian aircraft and one rocket were used in the strikes, targeting 18 locations. However, some rockets failed to reach their intended targets. Russian forces have also conducted attacks on Ukrainian territory, resulting in casualties. In the city of Balakliya in Kharkiv Oblast, drone strikes on a residential area left three dead and at least 19 injured. Similar attacks in Sumy resulted in 12 wounded, while six people were hurt in the Kherson region. In Kharkiv, an attack on a railway station killed two individuals and injured eight others. Governor Oleksandr Sinegubov of Kharkiv reported these incidents. In Odessa, a cargo ship carrying Ukrainian wheat under the flag of Guinea-Bissau was attacked, killing at least one person and injuring three. The ship's hull was damaged, and crew members were evacuated to shore. Tensions between Iran and Ukraine have also escalated following recent developments. Iranian state television reported that officials were prepared to retaliate against Ukraine after an attack on a Russian-Iranian military transport vessel on July 25. The attack, which took place near the Caspian Sea, disrupted the shipment of military equipment between Iran and Russia. Iranian official Mohsen Razaei stated that Iran had planned to strike three locations in Ukraine but withdrew the operation upon receiving a statement from Ukraine explaining the attack as accidental. Iran condemned the attack as “aggressive behavior” and warned that it would not remain unresponsive. Diplomatic efforts between Ukraine and Iran appeared to ease tensions after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha held a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on July 28. Araghchi expressed hope that Ukraine had acknowledged the incident as an accident and that Tehran did not wish to escalate tensions further. Sybiha, however, maintained that all Ukrainian actions were solely aimed at defending the country against Russian aggression and were not directed at civilian vessels or people. This exchange followed Iran’s continued support for Russia during the invasion, including the supply of drones and later granting Russia a license to produce them on its territory. Relations between Ukraine and Iran have remained tense since the start of the war.