Ukraine Strikes Perm Refinery as Russia Hits Black Sea Vessels

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted a long-range drone strike on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, targeting the Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez refinery in Perm, Russia. Located over 1,500 kilometers from Ukraine, the facility is one of the country's largest refineries. The attack ignited a fire at a primary oil-processing unit. The SBU stated the operation followed directives from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to degrade Russia's military and economic potential, noting the site provides critical budget revenue and fuel for Russian military aviation and logistics.

In a separate series of operations on the same day, the Russian Defence Ministry announced that its forces struck five vessels transporting weapons and military equipment to Ukraine. These attacks targeted two ships near Odesa, two in the port of Pivdennyi, and one northwest of Zmiinyi Island in the Black Sea. Russian forces also hit a fuel storage facility in Odesa. While the Russian Defence Ministry claimed the vessels were transporting military supplies, Reuters noted that no evidence was provided to independently verify these claims. These escalating attacks on shipping in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov have contributed to rising wheat prices.