Ukraine's defence forces carried out a series of coordinated strikes overnight on May 15–16, 2026, targeting key Russian military infrastructure in occupied territories. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed hits on command posts near Pokrovsk and Hrafske in Donetsk Oblast, a UAV command facility, and logistics and repair units in Selydove, Baranykivka, and Pryvillia. The operation extended into Russian territory with damage reported at the Ryazan oil refinery, a strategic asset in Ryazan Oblast, where processing units AVT-3, AVT-4, AT-6, and a diesel hydrotreating unit were struck.

The attacks demonstrate Ukraine’s growing use of long-range drones and precision strike capabilities, particularly through joint operations involving Special Operations Forces and the Unmanned Systems Forces. The targeting of command centers and supply depots aims to disrupt Russian command and control and degrade logistical support in frontline regions. Locations such as Pokrovsk and Selydove remain critical nodes in Russia’s defensive posture in the east.

The strike on the Ryazan refinery, confirmed from the night of May 14–15, underscores a shift in Ukraine’s operational reach, hitting energy infrastructure deep inside Russia. This refinery is one of the largest in the country and supplies fuel to military and civilian sectors. While Russia has not released casualty figures or full damage assessments, the repeated targeting of such facilities signals a broader Ukrainian strategy to weaken Russia’s war economy. The General Staff continues to report such actions as part of an ongoing campaign to reduce enemy combat effectiveness.