On January 29, 2025, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) and Special Operations Forces (SSO) executed a drone strike on the "Andreapol" oil pumping station in Russia's Tver region. This facility is a critical component of the Baltic Pipeline System-2. The attack resulted in damage to the filtration pump station and storage tanks, leading to a spill of oil products and a subsequent fire. As a consequence, the main pipeline supplying oil to the Ust-Luga terminal in Leningrad region was temporarily halted.
In addition to the oil facility, the operation targeted the 23rd missile arsenal of the Russian Ministry of Defense, also located in Tver. Reports indicated that over 20 drones struck the site, causing significant explosions and prompting local residents to report evacuations. The Russian Telegram channel Astra noted that at the time of the attack, ammunition was not present at the storage facility, although three military buildings were damaged.
The governor of Tver region, Igor Rudeniya, claimed that 29 drones were intercepted over the region, while the Russian Ministry of Defense reported the downing of seven drones. Furthermore, the Russian military asserted that a total of 104 Ukrainian drones were shot down across various regions, including Kursk, Bryansk, and Smolensk.
Earlier in the week, on January 26, Ukraine conducted its most extensive drone assault of 2025, deploying over 180 drones across 12 regions in Russia, including annexed Crimea. The Ryazan Oil Refinery, one of the largest in central Russia, was notably targeted, sustaining damage that led to a suspension of operations for 3-6 months.
Experts suggest that the recent focus on oil refineries may indicate a strategic shift in Ukraine's approach to drone warfare, as attacks on these facilities have shown limited effectiveness in causing long-term economic damage. Instead, Ukrainian forces are increasingly targeting military industrial sites, which could have a greater impact on Russia's military capabilities.