Valerii Riabykh, military expert and Defense Express development director, stated this on Espreso TV.“All Russian oil refining facilities, as well as those used by the enemy to supply energy resources, are military targets. This includes the Druzhba gas pipeline. The enemy uses this pipeline to export petroleum products to obtain funds that Russians use to wage war against Ukraine. Oil refineries also fall under military facilities. A recent example is the enterprise in Volgograd—LUKOIL-Volgogradneftepererabotka. This enterprise processes up to 5% of all oil in Russia’s refining sector per year. They also produce all types of fuel there, primarily those used by the armed forces of the aggressor country to conduct this war. In particular, diesel fuel and three types of kerosene used for the enemy’s aircraft, as well as all grades of gasoline. This enterprise produces over 17 million tons of petroleum products annually. So, in addition to supplying fuel directly to the Russian occupation army, a portion is also exported, providing profit and the means to continue this war. That is why all these enterprises are entirely legitimate military targets for Ukraine’s Defense Forces,” Riabykh explained.The expert noted that the frequency and effectiveness of strikes on Russian territory indicate that Ukrainian defense-industrial enterprises producing long-range means have reached planned production volumes.“According to the Russian reports, there have been hits on their civilian facilities. However, those same Russian Telegram channels write that these impacts are the result of their own air defense, which shot down their own ‘good’ (i.e., friendly) drones. These drones were headed precisely for military targets. Ukraine does not and did not wage a campaign against civilian sites on Russian territory,” he concluded.In the early hours of Thursday, August 14, units of the UAV Systems Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, in coordination with other Defense Forces members, struck the Volgograd oil refinery.