Ukrainian Drones Strike Key Russian Oil Refinery and Chemical Plant
Ukrainian drones targeted key Russian industrial sites in a significant attack, striking an oil refinery and a chemical plant. The strikes occurred overnight, with officials from the Orenburg and Perm regions reporting on the incidents on Friday.
Ukrainian Drones Target Russian Oil Refinery
The Orsknefteorgsintez oil refinery, located in the Orenburg region, was hit during the attack. Videos shared on social media captured at least one drone crashing into the refinery, and smoke was seen rising from the area. Orenburg Governor Yevgeny Solntsev confirmed no casualties occurred, and refinery operations continued without interruption.
Impact on Chemical Production
In a parallel incident, the Azot chemical plant in the Perm region experienced a temporary halt in operations as a result of the drone strikes. Governor Dmitry Makhonin reported that the facility resumed activities shortly after the attacks. Local residents described hearing two explosions near the plant late Thursday, with some eyewitness accounts suggesting three drones were involved in the strikes.
Significance of the Struck Facilities
- The Orsknefteorgsintez refinery has an annual processing capacity of 6.6 million tons.
- It produces approximately 30 types of petroleum products, including gasoline and jet fuel.
- The Azot plant is known for producing critical chemical products, including ammonium nitrate and sodium nitrate.
Both facilities are situated about 1,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, indicating the extended reach of drone operations.
Broader Context of Drone Attacks
In recent months, Ukraine has intensified its drone strikes on Russian energy and chemical production sites. Reports indicate that, as of September 28, 38% of Russia’s primary oil refining capacity, equivalent to 338,000 tonnes per day, was offline. A decline of 6% in capacity for gasoline and diesel production was noted in August, with a further drop of 18% occurring in September.
Fuel shortages have emerged in over 20 regions across Russia, particularly affecting the Far East and Crimea. The Kommersant business daily highlighted a significant decrease in gasoline production, with a drop of 1 million tons in September. In response, the Russian government has enacted a ban on gasoline exports and is preparing to accept fuel imports to stabilize the market.
