Photo: t.me/mchs_official
Drones attacked Novokuibyshevsk in Russia’s Samara region overnight on October 30, triggering a fire at a local oil refinery that produces jet fuel for Russian military aircraft.
The attack was reported by the Russian outlet ASTRA, the monitoring channel Exilenova+ and Russian authorities.
Residents reported explosions and air defense activity before an official drone threat warning was issued. Authorities announced the threat only at around 6 a.m., when the attack was already underway. Samara airport was closed.
The fire at the refinery grew, while residents continued reporting drones over the city. An ASTRA open-source intelligence analyst used photographs taken by witnesses to identify the site of the fire as the Novokuibyshevsk refinery.
The refinery has been part of the Rosneft group since 2007 and has an annual processing capacity of about 8.8 million metric tons of crude oil. It produces more than 20 types of petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, bitumen and jet fuel for Russian military aviation.
Drone attacks reported across Russia
Drones also attacked other Russian regions that morning. According to statements by local authorities:
- Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported four interceptions between 12:45 a.m. and 6:20 a.m., claiming that a total of 87 drones had been heading toward the capital.
- The governor of Kaluga region said 94 drones had been shot down over the region during the evening and overnight.
- Tula Region Governor Dmitry Milyaev reported 21 drones.
Large-scale drone attacks on Russia have continued for several consecutive nights.
On the evening of October 28 and overnight into October 29, drones attacked Moscow. Sobyanin reported that more than 50 had been intercepted.
The October 29 attack caused more than 460 flight delays and cancellations at airports in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo were the worst affected, while Pulkovo handled aircraft unable to land in Moscow.
For comparison, more than 210 flights were disrupted at Moscow airports following an attack on October 24.
