Ukrainian long-range UAVs strike oil refineries deep in Russia
Everything became clear – it's now known what the Ukrainians used to strike the Russian refinery in the city of Tuapse during the latest attack. They used their best weapon to reach long distances and hit the target several hundred miles from Ukraine.
The Ukrainian army is increasingly carrying out significant attacks towards Russian positions. Just in the last few days, a rain of ATACMS missiles fell on the airport in Belbek, causing significant damage. The next attack did not take long. This time, however, the Ukrainians targeted the refineries in Tuapse and Novorossiysk in the Krasnodar Krai.
Significantly, these refineries are located several hundred miles from areas where the defenders' army has freedom of action. This is because parts of southern Ukraine are currently occupied by Russia, making it more challenging for Ukrainians to attack targets deep within the Russian Federation.
Therefore, it can be assumed that Ukrainian drones would have to travel at least 373 miles (600 kilometres) to reach the refineries in Krasnodar Krai from a safe position. As seen in the video posted by, among others, the Ukrainian Front profile on platform X, the Ukrainian armed forces indeed have tools that can easily cover such a long distance. In the case of the attack on the refinery in Tuapse, the drone used was the Lyuty UAV, which can travel over 621 miles (1,000 kilometres).
attacks deep into Russia are not a problem for Ukrainians
The Ukrainians already have an increasingly sizable arsenal of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). One of the latest such devices is the Lyuty – a weapon whose development was revealed in the autumn of 2022. Ukroboronprom does not disclose specific specifications of this drone; however, it is known that its range is over 621 miles (1,000 kilometres), while the warhead weight is about 110-165 pounds (50-75 kilograms). The total weight of over 441 pounds (200 kilograms) and a wingspan of 13 feet (4 meters) indicate that the Lyuty is a response to Iranian Shahed-136 drones.
The Euromaidan Press portal explains that a single petrol engine powers the Lyuty (one of the newest Ukrainian designs). It is most likely a Hirth F-23 unit with 50 horsepower or its modification. The drone's accuracy is ensured by an "advanced satellite-inertial guidance system," which allows the UAV to navigate fully autonomously over long distances and is much more resistant to interference than traditional navigation supported by satellite signals.
The manufacturer used a fuselage made of fibreglass, epoxy resin, and a metal mesh to increase efficiency and maximise range. The aerodynamic design with a V-tail on long struts also plays a significant role. The Lyuty drone has a fixed landing gear that cannot be retracted during flight.
