Photo: RosSMI
Fires in Russia’s oil infrastructure intensified again on May 20, with reports of blazes at an oil refinery in Nizhny Novgorod region and a chemical plant in Stavropol region, according to OSINT analysts from ASTRA.
Kstovo refinery fire: key Lukoil facility hit
In the morning of May 20, residents of Kstovo in the Nizhny Novgorod region reported explosions followed by a fire. Based on footage from eyewitnesses, analysts identified damage at the southern-western part of the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez refinery, likely affecting a primary crude distillation unit (ELОU-AVT).
This unit is responsible for processing crude oil into key fractions such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and other petroleum products. Local authorities reportedly shifted schoolchildren in the Kstovo district to remote learning and advised parents not to send children to kindergartens.
The refinery is one of the largest in Russia, with an annual processing capacity of about 17 million tons of oil and supplies fuel, including to the Moscow region.
Chemical plant struck in Stavropol region
Reports also indicate damage to the Nevinnomyssk Azot in Stavropol region. The facility is one of the largest chemical complexes in Russia, producing ammonia, methanol, and industrial acids used as raw materials for explosives.
Russian response
Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed that 273 Ukrainian drones were allegedly shot down overnight across multiple regions, including occupied Crimea and areas over the Azov and Black Seas.
Earlier reports indicated strikes on multiple critical energy infrastructure sites in Russia, while Ukrainian officials continue to emphasize the strategic impact of long-range attacks on Russian industrial capacity.
