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One of Russia’s oldest oil refineries has suspended operations following a Ukrainian drone attack, according to reports by Astra.
The Saratov refinery, owned by Rosneft, was reportedly hit during a nighttime strike on March 21.
Damage and fire
Sources cited by the outlet said the attack damaged a secondary oil processing unit and a large storage tank (RVS-10000). A diesel fuel tank with a capacity of 10,000 tons caught fire, with the blaze covering around 400 square meters.
Emergency officials reportedly confirmed the damage, and the refinery halted operations following the incident.
Additional impacts
Drone debris also fell on a local thermal power plant, damaging electrical cables. Another drone reportedly exploded near a juvenile detention center, where two minors and a guard were present at the time. The guard was reported injured.
Strategic facility
The Saratov refinery is one of the oldest oil-processing facilities in Russia. As of 2023, it processed approximately 4.8 million tons of crude oil annually.
According to Astra, the facility has been targeted at least 13 times since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
