From bombers to oil terminals: How Zelensky brought the war to Putin's backyard

Once considered untouchable, Russia’s strategic heartland has become a frequent target of Ukrainian long-range strikes. From bomber bases thousands of kilometres from the front line to energy facilities that help finance Moscow’s war efforts. Ukraine has sought to impose cost on Russia by taking the conflict far beyond the battlefield.

The latest strike on oil and military infrastructure in saint Petersburg is the newest chapter in Kyiv’s campaign to target Russian strategic infrastructure far beyond the battlefield.

While the fighting remains concentrated across eastern and southern Ukraine, Russia continues to control roughly a fifth of Ukrainian territory. Facing Russia’s advantage in manpower and firepower, Ukraine increasingly depends on long-range strikes deep inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that it was "only a question of time" for Ukraine to increase the scale of the strikes, which forced some of the Russian refineries to suspend operations.

Russia has repeatedly framed its large-scale missile and drone attacks against Ukraine as a retaliation for Ukraine attacks inside Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Kyiv of carrying out what he called "acts of terror" and said the over four-year conflict had entered a "different paradigm".

Major Ukrainian strikes in Russia:

The strike on Petersburg is only the latest in a growing list of attacks targeting the infrastructure that underpins Russian war effort. Some of the most significant strikes include:

Operation Spiderweb (June 2025): Considered as the most damaging Ukrainian strike inside Russia, targeting multiple strategic air bases with drones in multiple regions of Russia as far as 2,000 km from frontline. Around 20 aircraft were hit and roughly 10 aircraft destroyed including Tu-95 Bear and Tu-22M3 Backfire bombers. The Strike forced Russia to review the security of strategic air bases located thousands of kilometres from frontline.


Ust-Luga oil terminal strike (January 2024): Ukraine struck Novatek’s Ust-Luga fuel export terminal using drones, triggering a major fire and temporary halting of operations. The facility is a key Russian energy export hub.


Toropets arsenal strike (September 2024): Ukraine drones struck the 107th GRAU Arsenal in Russia’s Tver region. The facility was one of the largest ammunition depots which stored, Iskander ballistic missiles, artillery ammunition and air defence missiles. Analyst believe the strike significantly disrupted ammunition supplies in Ukraine.


Ryazan oil refinery strike (March 2024): Ukraine targeted one of the largest oil-processing facility of Russia with the use of drones and forced in to temporary shutdown. The strike knocked out around 14-15% of Russia’s total refining capacity, forcing Moscow to curb gasoline exports and prioritise domestic fuel supplies.


Pskov air base attack (August 2023): Ukrainian drones struck Kresty air base in Pskov, located near Russian borders with Estonia and Latavia. The attack damaged or destroyed several IL-76 aircraft, heavy-lift planes used to move troops, vehicles and ammunition. The attack affected Russia’s logistical flexibility particularly in rapid troops deployment and equipment.


As the war enters its fifth year, neither side has shown any willingness to back down. Russia continues to leverage its larger manpower pool and industrial base, Ukraine sought to compensate through long range drones and unconventional operations aimed to raise the cost of war for Moscow.

Recent peace initiatives have failed to produce a breakthrough, with Kyiv insisting on the restoration of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Moscow maintains that any settlement must reflect the realities on the ground.