Intensified Conflict: Russia's Large-Scale Attack on Ukraine Amidst Kyiv's Strikes on Oil Refineries

Tue Sep 23 2025 10:52:10 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Following a significant escalation in violence, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine, prompting Kyiv to retaliate by targeting oil refineries in Russia. The ongoing conflict has led to casualties and widespread damage, raising international concerns.

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia has initiated a major attack across 14 regions of Ukraine, resulting in multiple casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for tougher sanctions against Russia as Kyiv retaliated by striking oil refineries in Krasnodar and Syzran. The situation highlights the intensifying warfare that has persisted since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russia has carried out a massive overnight assault on 14 regions of Ukraine, prompting harsh responses from Ukrainian officials. The attack has left one woman dead and 30 others injured, including children, according to local authorities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia deployed nearly 540 drones and 45 missiles, emphasizing the need for increased sanctions against Moscow in response to the brutal escalation. Following the strikes, the Russian defense ministry claimed that all designated targets were hit, although these assertions have not been independently verified.

Since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022, Russia has continued to wage war against Ukraine, with the latest barrage coinciding with international efforts to broker a peace deal and minimal progress reported in diplomatic negotiations. Just days prior, Kyiv experienced the second-largest aerial attack of the conflict, which resulted in at least 25 fatalities.

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, severe strikes on infrastructure were reported, with significant damage inflicted upon a residential building and a shopping center in Dnipro, although no casualties were recorded from the overnight attacks. However, attacks resumed shortly after, resulting in injuries.

The Ukrainian military retaliated against the Russian oil sector by striking refineries in Krasnodar and Syzran, targeting facilities known for their substantial output of petroleum products. Russian authorities acknowledged damages and fires resulting from the strikes but reported no casualties.

The Russian military claimed that its forces successfully shot down 20 Ukrainian drones, including 18 over Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Furthermore, official announcements included the capture of a rural settlement in eastern Ukraine, a claim yet to be verified by Ukraine.

Amidst this turmoil, US-led diplomatic efforts continue to seek an end to the conflict, but Zelensky's comments underline the ongoing disregard for agreements that Russia has displayed. With European foreign affairs ministers convening to discuss the possibility of freezing significant Russian assets and imposing further sanctions, the situation remains tense and uncertain.

As violence intensifies and the humanitarian toll rises, Zelensky iterated the urgency for global action, stating, We expect action from the US, Europe, and the entire world. International leaders remain vigilant, aware that the landscape of the conflict continues to evolve.