Hellish strikes on russia: The Defence Forces of Ukraine hit five strategic plants and ten oil refining facilities in March

Throughout March 2026, the Defence Forces of Ukraine carried out a series of large-scale strikes against russia’s defense industry infrastructure. The operations spanned from temporarily occupied Crimea and the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts to deep rear regions of russia, including Leningrad Oblast.

Each such strike on russia was part of a systematic effort to dismantle the enemy’s war machine.

The March campaign was one of the largest in terms of the number of strategic enterprises struck, with five plants and ten oil refining facilities hit.

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine outlines the key targets struck during March and their significance.

Military-Industrial Complex and Aviation Industry

As a result of precision strikes throughout the month, five strategic plants were struck.

Kremniy El Microelectronics Plant, Bryansk

It is one of the largest microelectronics enterprises in russia. Production facilities and a component warehouse were hit, disrupting the supply chain for microchips used in Iskander missiles and air defense systems for up to 6 months.

Aviastar-SP Aircraft Plant, Ulyanovsk

Aircraft parking areas and a climate-controlled shelter were damaged, with several Ilyushin Il-76 and Ilyushin Il-78 aircraft hit. Aviastar-SP is a key enterprise for the production and maintenance of heavy transport aircraft that support troop logistics and in-flight refueling of strategic aviation.

123rd Aircraft Repair Plant, Staraya Russa

Hangars for Il-76 aircraft were struck, and a strategic Beriev A-50 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft was damaged.

The 123rd Aircraft Repair Plant is a major hub for aircraft repair in russia, and its disruption could critically slow the recovery of the occupiers’ aircraft fleet.

Alchevsk Metallurgical Plant, Alchevsk

Following the strike, a large-scale fire was observed at the facility. The plant is involved in the production processes of artillery shell casings (including large-caliber casting and machining) and also manufactures and repairs armored steel for the occupiers’ military equipment.

Granit Innovation Center, Sevastopol

The only maintenance center for S-400 air defense systems in Crimea was struck. This prevents the rapid repair of complex surface-to-air missile systems on the peninsula, creating sustained gaps in air defense coverage.

Oil Refining Sector and Fuel and Lubricants Storage Facilities

Long-range strikes on russia in March disrupted a significant share of the aggressor’s oil exports routed through the Baltic Sea.

In total, deep strikes hit ten oil industry facilities, including refineries, terminals, and ports.

Albashneft and Afipskiy oil refineries

These are key suppliers of diesel fuel for russia’s southern grouping of forces.

Port Kavkaz and the Sheskharis oil terminal (located in Novorossiysk)

Critical oil and fuel transshipment nodes supporting the Black Sea Fleet.

Saratov and Bashneft-Ufaneftekhim oil refineries

These are major refining facilities that underpin russia’s domestic military reserves and the stability of the fuel market.

Kirishi and Yaroslavl oil refineries

These are key suppliers of aviation fuel to airfields in russia’s Western and Northern Military Districts.

Transneft Port Primorsk and the NOVATEK Ust-Luga complex

These are strategic terminals along the Baltic Sea coast. Strikes on these facilities block foreign currency revenues from exports and disrupt energy logistics.

In addition, 14 fuel and lubricants storage facilities were hit. They support the rapid refueling of tanks and armored personnel carriers immediately before deployment to positions.

Air Defense

Over the course of the month, twelve S-300/S-400 mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems were hit. This deprives the enemy of the ability to control the airspace and protect its strategic rear areas. As a result, russia’s current air raid alert map will now show major gaps in the defenses of entire regions.

Strikes were also carried out against ten short- and medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, including the Tor, Tor-M1, Tor-M2U, Buk-M1/M2/M3, Pantsir-S1, and Tunguska.

Naval vessels and missile systems

In March, the Defense Forces of Ukraine also hit the patrol icebreaker Purga (Project 23550) at the Vyborg Shipyard. The frigates Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov were also affected by the strikes.

In addition, three Iskander missile systems and two Bastion coastal defense missile systems were hit. These systems had been used to carry out strikes against civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

Under its War Plan, Ukraine continues to systematically destroy russia’s war machine, depriving the aggressor of the resources needed to wage the war. Each new explosion at a strategic facility in russia brings the aggressor closer to exhaustion.