Russia and Ukraine drone strikes kill four and hit oil facilities
Updated
Updated · The Moscow Times · May 3
Russia and Ukraine drone strikes kill four and hit oil facilities
13 articles · Updated · The Moscow Times · May 3
Russia launched 268 drones and a ballistic missile at Ukraine overnight, while Moscow said Ukraine fired at least 334 drones, including attacks near Moscow, Odesa, Kherson and Leningrad.
Two people were killed in Odesa, including a port truck driver, and one in Kherson; a 77-year-old man died in the Moscow region. Residential buildings, port infrastructure and oil export facilities were damaged.
Zelensky said Ukrainian naval drones also struck two Russian shadow tankers near Novorossiysk. The exchanges reflect intensifying daily barrages in a war that began with Russia's 2022 invasion and has stalled peace efforts.
Ukraine now attacks Russia's ghost fleet. Who are the global players profiting from this massive sanctions-busting operation?
With thousands of drones creating deadly 'kill zones,' has traditional ground warfare on the front line become obsolete?
As Western sanctions intensify, why are Russia's oil revenues surging, and can this economic war even be won?
The April 2026 Drone War: Targeting Russian Oil, Devastating Civilians, and Disrupting Global Energy Markets
Overview
In late April 2026, Ukraine intensified drone attacks on Russian oil facilities, notably striking the Tuapse refinery and oil tankers, causing massive fires and severe oil spills that contaminated the Black Sea coastline. These attacks disrupted Russia's oil export capacity by 20%, inflicting billions in losses and forcing refinery shutdowns. In retaliation, Russia launched large-scale drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities and ports, causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. The environmental disaster at Tuapse led to health hazards and widespread distrust of official cleanup efforts. Meanwhile, Middle East tensions disrupted global energy routes, driving oil prices up and worsening economic volatility worldwide. Diplomatic efforts stalled as the US shifted focus to the Middle East, deepening the conflict's humanitarian, ecological, and economic crises.