Ukraine Attacks Russian Energy Facilities With Dozens Of Drones, Triggers Minak Refinery Fire

JAKARTA - Ukraine attacked energy facilities in southern Russia with dozens of drones on Monday. The attack sparked fires at large oil refineries and gas processing plants as well as disrupted flights from Volga to the Kaukasus Mountains.

Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defense units intercepted and destroyed 70 Ukrainian drones in Russian territory, including 25 in the Volgograd region, 27 in the Growth region, and seven in the Astrakhan region.

"The Defense Ministry's air defense forces managed to dispel a massive attack by aircraft-type drones in the Volgograd region," said Volgograd Governor Andrei Bocharov.

The crash of drone debris sparked several fires at the oil refinery, although he did not say which refinery was on fire.

Baza, a Russian Telegram news channel close to Russia's security service, said a series of explosions were heard in the area around the refinery operated by Russia's second-largest oil producer, Lukoil.

The refinery with a capacity of 300,000 barrels per day is the largest in southern Russia.

In Astrakhan's neighboring region, Governor Igor Babushkin said Ukrainian drones tried to attack energy facilities and fire, but gave no further details.

The Ukrainian armed forces are trying to carry out drone attacks on objects located in the region, including fuel and energy facilities, Babushkin said via Telegram. "There were no casualties," he stressed.

Ukrainian Lieutenant Andriy Kovalenko, who heads the Disinformation Management Center, part of the National Security and Defense Council, said the Astrakhan gas processing plant had been attacked.

The plant, which is controlled by gas giant Gazprom (GAZP.MM), is opening a new tab, capable of processing about 8,340 metric tons of condensate gas per day. Baza and other Russian Telegram channels say Ukraine is attacking a gas processing plant near Astrakhan.

Unverified videos on social media showed giant flames and black smoke rising into the night sky above the processing plant, while those around them said they were surprised by the magnitude of the fire.

Reuters was unable to independently verify warfield reports from both sides.

Russian aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia had suspended flights from Astrakhan and Volgograd airports, as well as from Kazan, Nizhnekamsk, Saratov and Ulyanovsk to ensure air security.