An overnight fire broke out at a major Russian oil refinery in the Volgograd region, attributed to a drone attack for which Ukraine is being held responsible. Governor Andrei Bocharov revealed this on Saturday.
Ukraine has been carrying out drone assaults on Russia for months in response to Moscow’s ongoing offensive.
Bocharov disclosed a thwarted drone attack in the Kalachyovsky and Zakanalye districts of Volgograd, which was successfully repelled by defense systems and electronic jamming. The downed drone led to a fire at the Lukoil-operated Volgograd refinery.
Fortunately, the fire department efficiently controlled the blaze, and no injuries were reported.
Situated 600 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, the refinery is a significant oil product producer in the federal South district, covering eight regions in southwest Russia.
Local media published photos claiming to depict an overnight explosion during the attack, with residents reporting hearing two explosions.
The Russian army reported intercepting four drones in Belgorod, bordering Ukraine, two in Volgograd, and one in the Rostov-on-Don area using air defense electronic jamming.
This drone attack follows Ukrainian strikes on facilities, including an incident on Jan. 29 when a drone reportedly struck the Slavneft-Yanos oil refinery.
Governor Mikhail Evraev of Russia’s Yaroslavl region claimed a prevented drone attack by the electronic warfare system of the refinery.
Despite no reported injuries, local residents heard an explosion in different parts of the city. Russian media reported no injuries, with the scene cordoned off, and refinery employees temporarily allowed to go home.
