Ukrainian drones struck two major Russian oil refineries overnight on August 30, causing significant fires at the Krasnodar Oil Refinery in the Krasnodar region and the Syzran Refinery in the Samara Region. The attacks, conducted by operators of the 14th separate regiment of the SBS in cooperation with special operations forces, targeted enterprises providing fuel and lubricants to the Russian army. The Krasnodar refinery has an annual capacity of 3.1 million tons, and the Syzran refinery processes 8.5 million tons of oil annually, with strikes occurring approximately 400 km and 1000 km from the combat line, respectively. In parallel, the U.S. State Department approved a Foreign Military Sales case for Denmark totaling $8.5 billion, which includes the sale of six Patriot air defense systems and associated equipment. This sale is intended to bolster Ukraine's air defense capabilities. The U.S. also approved over $300 million in arms sales to Ukraine to support existing Patriot systems, along with funding for Starlink services, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Shmyhal. Reports also indicate that prominent Ukrainian politician Andriy Parubiy, former Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada and ex-Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, was shot dead in Lviv. Details surrounding the incident are still being updated, with initial reports suggesting the assailant appeared as a delivery service courier. Additional drone attacks overnight targeted multiple energy sites across Russia. The General Staff reported that a chemical plant in Alexin, Tula region, was also hit. In Sevastopol, maritime passenger transport was suspended following reports of explosions near aviation fuel storage facilities. Unconfirmed reports suggest Ukrainian drones may have also struck an S-400 air defense system north of Armyansk-Perekop in occupied Crimea. Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger stated that the entire 2025 production output of 25,000 155mm shells from their new Unterlüß facility will be delivered to Ukraine, with plans to deliver 100,000 shells in 2026. However, Papperger also noted that the construction of a 155mm factory in Ukraine is facing delays, with production not expected to begin for another 12 to 14 months, potentially towards the end of 2026. In other developments, Russia launched strikes on Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro last night, damaging a residential building and the "Apollo Shopping Complex" respectively. India emerged as Ukraine's top diesel supplier in July, according to oil analytics firm data. US envoy to NATO Matthew Whitaker indicated that Washington is providing Ukraine with "deeper strike capabilities" through new ERAM missile sales and allied purchases.
