Ukraine’s military intelligence carried out a precision strike overnight that destroyed three lines of Russia’s critical “Ring” oil product pipeline in the Moscow region, delivering a significant blow to the Russian military and its economy, Ukrainian officials said.
Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR) said the special operation on Oct. 31 targeted the pipeline in the Ramensky District of Moscow Oblast. The pipeline, which transported gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel, was a key supply route for Russian forces conducting operations against Ukraine.
“Anti-drone defenses and armed guards could not stop it,” HUR said in a statement. “All three lines exploded simultaneously, rendering the entire pipeline inoperable.”
The 400-kilometer “Ring” pipeline connected refineries in Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod, and Moscow, capable of transporting up to 3 million tons of aviation fuel, 2.8 million tons of diesel, and 1.6 million tons of gasoline each year.
Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of HUR, said the strike delivered a far greater impact than any economic sanctions imposed on Russia.
“Our direct actions have caused far greater damage to Russia than any sanctions applied so far,” Budanov said. “This is a mathematical truth. Our strikes hit the aggressor where it hurts most.”
Long-Range Strikes Across Russia
Ukraine has increasingly used long-range drones and missiles to hit strategic targets inside Russia. Overnight on Friday, Oct. 31, strikes hit facilities in three regions, including Oryol, where a thermal power plant was attacked, leaving parts of the city without electricity.
In the Vladimir region, a fire broke out at the 750 kV Vladimirskaya substation, a crucial part of Moscow’s high-voltage energy grid. The attack disrupted the flow of power from nuclear and thermal plants toward the Russian capital.
Explosions were also reported near the Slavneft-YANOS refinery in Yaroslavl, forcing authorities to temporarily close the local airport. Ukrainian officials have said these strikes are part of a coordinated effort to degrade Russia’s military logistics and energy infrastructure.
Zelensky said earlier that Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil facilities have cut Moscow’s refining and fuel production by around 20–27%, creating widespread fuel shortages and queues. Several refineries were damaged, forcing Russia to redistribute production across other plants.
Zelensky added that most strikes – 90–95% – deep inside Russia now use Ukrainian-made long-range weapons, with limited support from British Storm Shadow and French SCALP missiles. He said Ukraine will continue targeting facilities to weaken Russia’s war funding.
