For the second consecutive day, a series of drone strikes targeted Russia’s oil refineries and border regions, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Throughout the night, dozens of drones were launched, primarily over the Ukrainian border regions of Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, and Voronezh. While the majority of these drones were intercepted and shot down, some managed to cause damage. However, no casualties were reported, according to statements from regional governors.
In one incident, a drone crash-landed into an oil refinery located in the Ryazan region, approximately 200 kilometers (120 miles) southeast of Moscow. The impact sparked a fire and resulted in injuries to several individuals.
“The Ryazan oil refinery was targeted by a drone attack,” stated Ryazan regional governor Pavel Malkov on Telegram.
“According to initial reports, there are casualties,” he added.
Following the strike, a fire erupted at the refinery, prompting Malkov to state that “all emergency services are currently engaged at the site.”
Alexander Drozdenko, the regional governor, reported on Telegram that a drone aimed at another oil refinery in the Leningrad region, near the second city of Saint Petersburg in northwest Russia, was intercepted. He confirmed that no damage or casualties were reported.
According to Alexander Gussev, the regional governor, over 30 drones were downed over the Voronezh region. While some minor damage was reported, there were no significant incidents.
Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov stated on Telegram that six drones were neutralized over the Belgorod region, causing damage to several power lines and resulting in power outages.
In addition, the governors of the Bryansk and Kursk regions reported on Telegram that eight and four drones, respectively, were intercepted in their areas. Fortunately, no damage was reported in either region.
In one of its most impactful moves yet in the two-year conflict, Ukraine launched significant drone strikes on Russia on Tuesday.
Russian officials reported that two energy sites were targeted, including one of the largest oil refineries located about 800 kilometers from the border.
The strikes hit a major oil refinery in Kstovo, situated just outside the city of Nizhny Novgorod, as confirmed by the regional governor.
Additionally, another drone crashed into a fuel depot in Oryol, approximately 160 kilometers from the border, igniting a fire, according to the regional governor.
