Ukraine updates: Drone reportedly hits Russian oil refinery

Ryazan oil refinery has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian drones, as Kyiv tries to undermine Moscow’s war effort

Ukraine launched drones at several Russian regions in the hours leading into Wednesday morning, Russian officials said. Russian media reported a fire at the Ryazan oil refinery following the attack.

Meanwhile, at least three people were killed and three more injured in a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Odesa, local authorities said.

Here’s a look at the latest on Russia’s war in Ukraine on Wednesday, May 1.

Ukraine launches drone attacks on several Russian regions

Ukraine launched drone strikes against several Russian regions in the hours leading up to Wednesday morning, according to Russian officials, with Russian media reporting a fire at the Ryazan oil refinery as a result of the attack.

Pavel Malkov, governor of the Ryazan region, which borders Moscow Oblast in the northwest, said there were no injuries following drone strikes there.

The attack sparked a fire at the Ryazan oil refinery, according to Baza, a Russian cable channel close to the security services.

The refinery refines about 5.8% of Russia’s total refined crude and is owned and operated by Rosneft. It has been a frequent target of Ukrainian airstrikes.

The governors of the Kursk and Voronezh regions in southwestern Russia, which border Ukraine, also reported drone strikes on their territories, saying there was no damage or injuries.

Ukrainian officials say targeting Russia’s military, energy and transportation infrastructure undermines Moscow’s war effort.

Russia strikes Odesa for 2nd time this week

At least three people were killed and three more injured in a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Odesa in the early hours of Wednesday morning, local authorities said.

“The enemy attacked Odesa with ballistic missiles. As a consequence of the attack, three people were killed and three more wounded,” wrote Gennadiy Trukhanov, the mayor of the port city, on Telegram.

Regional Governor Oleh Kiper added that the attack had also damaged civilian infrastructure.

The attack comes just two days after Russian missiles struck an educational institution in the city, killing five people.

sh,mf/sms (AP, APF, dpa, Reuters)