2 Killed in Crimea as Ukrainian Drones Strike Industrial Site in Perm Region

Aug. 21, 2026 Smoke reportedly rising from a Lukoil-operated oil refinery in the Perm region. @exilenova_plus / Telegram At least two people were killed and four others wounded in overnight Ukrainian attacks on annexed Crimea, local authorities said late Thursday, while an industrial facility was later targeted in Russia’s Perm region amid the airstrikes. Sergei Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed head of Crimea, said three people, including a child, were wounded in a fatal attack on the peninsula’s Simferopol district. Aksyonov added that a separate attack elsewhere in the region injured one person. In Russia, Perm region Governor Dmitry Makhonin said Friday morning that air defense systems downed 16 Ukrainian drones during an air attack, leaving one man injured. Makhonin also said that an industrial facility was damaged in an overnight drone attack, though he provided no further details. No injuries occurred at the site, he said. Unconfirmed reports suggested a Lukoil-operated oil refinery was targeted, with social media images purportedly showing smoke rising above the facility Friday morning following the drone attack. Located around 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) from the Ukrainian border, the refinery processed around 12.6 million tons of oil in 2024, according to Reuters. Ukraine has previously attacked the facility. Russia’s Defense Ministry said it intercepted 325 Ukrainian drones across Russia and annexed Crimea between Thursday night and Friday morning. Read more about: Ukraine war , Drones , Crimea , Perm Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Ukrainian Attack Kills 5 in Annexed Crimea as Kyiv Accuses Russia of Violating Its Ceasefire Kremlin-installed officials said the Tuesday night attack targeted Dzhankoi, a town in the north of the peninsula that is home to a military airbase. 2 Min read Ukraine Launches Air, Sea Drones Near Crimea Bridge – Reports Kerch residents reported explosions near the Zaliv shipyard and a residential neighborhood, while reports said traffic was suspended on the Crimea Bridge... 1 Min read Russia Says Destroyed 4 Ukrainian Military Boats Carrying Troops in Black Sea The Russian Defense Ministry said the boats were "traveling in the direction of Cape Tarkhankut on the Crimean coast," but did not provide further details... 1 Min read Russia Says Repelled Large-Scale Ukrainian Drone Attack on Crimea Thirty-three drones "were suppressed by electronic warfare and crashed without reaching their targets," the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday. 1 Min read