Explosive night in Russia: Oil depots, refineries, and defense facilities targeted (Video)
Photo: Russian regions came under massive attack last night (Getty Images)
Regions of Russia experienced the most massive attack of the year overnight. Enemy industrial plants, refineries, oil depots, and Russian air defense systems were hit.
RBC-Ukraine has gathered everything known about the explosive night in Russia in the article below.
#Russia under #drone attack on the night of January 14 pic.twitter.com/CqEjAMbOeE
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) January 14, 2025
According to Russian public sources, over 200 drones allegedly attacked Russia.
As a result, restrictions were introduced at the airports of Kazan, Kaluga, Saratov, Tambov, Penza, Nizhnekamsk, and Ulyanovsk. In one settlement in the Belgorod region, emergency power outages were implemented due to damage to high-voltage lines.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, reported that among the affected targets were plants producing components and substances for weapons, oil refineries, an oil depot, warehouses, and Russian air defense systems.
“Russia's leaky air defense continues to allow strikes on strategic facilities of its economy. Refineries, oil depots, factories producing components for weapons — everything that the Russian army cannot conduct intensive warfare without and that the Russian economy cannot use to meet sustained military needs,” Kovalenko noted.
In total, according to Russians, 12 regions were attacked. As of now, based on open data, it is known that the following were struck: Engels and Saratov (Saratov region), Kazan (Republic of Tatarstan), Bryansk, Aleksin (Tula region), and the regions of Rostov, Tambov, Voronezh, and Oryol. In some of these locations, the damage to the enemy is significant.
Engels
Overnight, drones continued to attack Engels in the Saratov region, where only yesterday an oil depot fire was extinguished after five days. Now, as reported by Russian Telegram channels citing eyewitnesses, the oil depot is burning again.
According to local residents, there were at least two hits in Engels. It is not yet fully clear if the same facility attacked on January 8 was targeted again.
The governor of the Saratov region, Roman Busargin, confirmed the incidents. He stated that the UAV attack caused “damage to two industrial enterprises in Saratov and Engels.”
Currently, according to him, emergency and operational services are “working on-site in an enhanced mode.”
Saratov
In Saratov, the affected site may be an oil refinery. Locals posted videos on social media showing a large fire at an industrial facility.
A voice in the footage claims it is the “Saratov oil refinery after a drone attack on January 14, 2025.” The pipes and overall silhouette closely resemble the Saratov refinery seen in numerous photographs online.
Due to the massive drone raid, classes in schools in Engels and Saratov will be held remotely.
Kazan
In Kazan, locals reported a major fire near the Kazanorgsintez plant. According to Kovalenko, this plant was hit. The enterprise is a strategic facility with direct significance for Russia’s military-industrial complex.
“The plant specializes in producing materials used in the creation of military equipment, weapons, and components. Polyamides, synthetic rubber, and other chemical compounds from the plant are used in manufacturing armored vehicles, tires for tanks and APCs, and plastics for weapons and equipment,” Kovalenko explained.
He also noted that the plant produces components for explosives used in ammunition production.
Eyewitnesses reported initially hearing drones flying over the village of Osinivka, followed by an explosion near the Kazanorgsintez plant. Later, Russians clarified that a significant fire broke out near the facility.
Russian media outlet ASTRA, citing Evening Kazan, denied that the strike hit the plant directly, claiming the attack targeted a liquefied gas depot (apparently located on the premises). Some Telegram channels reported that three tanks were set ablaze.
Local authorities have responded, confirming the attack. However, Tatarstan’s officials assert that a gas tank was hit and that the aftermath has been “neutralized,” although Russian channels continue to report that the fire persists.
ASTRA and a number of other resources, that Kazanorgsintez is a chemical enterprise. It is Russia's only producer of polycarbonates, sevylene, and metallocene polyethylene, high-strength plastics, and one of the largest producers of high and low-density polyethylene in Russia.
Bryansk
Russians complained about a missile attack on Bryansk. According to the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, something “exploded again” at the Kremniy plant.
“The Kremniy plant in Bryansk, already attacked in October, produces microelectronics for missile systems, the Pantsir air defense system, Iskander missiles, as well as for radar, electronic warfare systems, and Russian UAVs,” Kovalenko noted.
Locals counted at least 30 explosions and claimed that a chemical plant in the village of Siltse in Bryansk was also attacked.
Other regions
There was unrest in several other Russian regions. Explosions and reports of “air defense activity” came from the Tula region, where allegedly 16 drones were “destroyed” over Aleksin. Regional governor Dmitry Milyayev stated that UAV debris “damaged several vehicles and outbuildings and shattered windows in a residential building.”
Drones also attacked the Orel region. Regional head Andrey Klychkov claimed that 17 UAVs were “shot down.”
Meanwhile, drones continued to strike Russians in the morning. At dawn, they complained that Ukraine was allegedly trying to hit the Kaleykine oil pumping station (Republic of Tatarstan). Drones were spotted near the facility.
Additionally, Russians reported that UAVs tried to attack an oil industry enterprise in Almetyevsk, Tatarstan. Local residents reported two explosions over the city and complained about the sound of gunfire.
Russian occupiers were also unsettled in temporarily occupied Crimea, where air raid alerts were declared. Russian propagandists claimed an “attack on the Crimean Bridge,” temporarily halting traffic.
Meanwhile, local Telegram channels reported missiles allegedly seen in Feodosia, Sudak, Sevastopol, and Kerch. Later, occupiers in Crimea began complaining about a drone attack.
Sources: Russian Telegram channels ASTRA, Baza, Shot, statements from regional governors, and the Telegram channel of Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation.
