A Ukrainian drone attack has set a major Russian oil refinery on fire, killing one person and injuring three others, including a child, authorities said on Sunday.
Samara Region Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said the overnight attack damaged residential buildings and an industrial facility in Russia’s Volga region. While he did not identify the industrial site, independent Russian news outlet Astra reported that the target was the Syzran oil refinery, citing videos and images circulating online.
Footage shared on social media showed large flames engulfing parts of the refinery.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its air defence systems intercepted 349 Ukrainian drones overnight, one of the largest aerial assaults recorded in recent days.
The Syzran refinery, owned by state oil giant Rosneft, has an annual processing capacity of about 8.5 million tonnes and produces petrol, diesel and kerosene.
The facility has been targeted several times since the war began. After a similar drone strike in late May, refinery operations were temporarily suspended.
The latest attack adds to growing pressure on Russia’s fuel supply. Repeated strikes on oil infrastructure have disrupted refining operations, contributing to fuel shortages in parts of the country. Reports indicate that some filling stations have started rationing petrol, with motorists facing long queues.
Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian energy facilities in recent months as part of its strategy to weaken Moscow’s war effort and push President Vladimir Putin toward negotiations.
Russia, however, maintains that any future peace agreement must include the transfer of Ukrainian territory, including areas its forces have yet to capture more than four years after launching the full-scale invasion.
