On November 4, Ukrainian special forces deployed drones that hit strategic oil refineries and an energy station in Russia, reaching as far as 1,300 km from the Ukrainian border.
Explosion at Sterlitamak Petrochemical Plant
Ukrainian special operations units claimed to have targeted the petrochemical facility in Sterlitamak, Bashkortostan. Drones struck the site, causing an explosion that collapsed a building housing a water‑treatment station for the refinery. The plant produces aviation fuel.
Fire at Orenburg‑Region Energy Station
Local authorities reported a blaze at an energy station near the Russian‑Ukrainian border. The fire erupted after fragments of drones, intercepted by Russian air defence, fell onto the site.
Attack on Lukoil’s Kstovo Refinery
The same day, Ukrainian forces struck the Lukoil petrochemical plants in Kstovo, western Russia. The strike ignited a fire, with residents reporting multiple explosions and smoke over the town. Kstovo is a key supplier of petrochemical products to the Moscow region, and the refinery had already been hit by a Ukrainian drone on November 3 in Saratov.
Escalating Combat in Pokrovsk
Concurrent with the strikes, Russian troops entered Pokrovsk, sparking fierce street battles on November 4. Ukrainian soldiers managed to push attackers from key positions. Commander‑in‑chief of the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps described the area as “the toughest section of the front,” noting extensive use of artillery, drones, and air bombs by Russian forces. Despite intense fighting, Ukrainians established a logistical corridor to supply troops as President Zelensky visited the city that day.