Major Russian oil refinery ablaze after drone attack
Photo: An oil refinery in the Samara Region is on fire following a drone attack (Russian media)
A fire has broken out at the Syzran Oil Refinery in Russia, located in the Samara region, according to local social media posts and local authorities.
Read also: Ukrainian drone strike wipes out Russian pilot training school with dozens of soldiers inside
According to information circulating on social media, a fire broke out at an oil refinery in Russia early this morning. Residents reportedly first heard air defense systems in operation, followed by explosions.
Photos and videos show a column of black smoke rising from the area around the refinery.
Local authorities report two fatalities as a result of the incident. There are also reportedly other casualties.
Photo: aftermath of the fire at the Syzran Oil Refinery (t.me/exilenova_plus).
Initial reports mentioned smoke in a residential area, but locals later stated that it was the oil refinery itself that was on fire.
Syzran Oil Refinery
Located in the city of Syzran, Samara region, Russia. It is part of Rosneft and is one of the largest oil refineries in the Volga region. Its refining capacity is up to 8.5 million tons of oil per year, accounting for over 3% of Russia’s total output.
The plant produces gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and fuel oil, supplying them to several regions of Central Russia and partially for export.
Major Russian oil refinery ablaze after drone attack pic.twitter.com/ldqLGSqVBD
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) May 21, 2026
With the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine, the facility became a regular target for Ukrainian drones. In particular, in August and December 2025, and at the end of that year, the plant suffered several strikes, leading to fires and prolonged production stoppages. The Ukrainian Armed Forces consider it a fuel and energy infrastructure facility that directly supplies the Russian army.
That same night, ATESH partisans struck a diesel locomotive in St. Petersburg. The locomotive, which was used to transport oil cargo and support the Russian industrial supply chains, was disabled by arson.
Russia has lost a quarter of its oil refining capacity due to drone attacks. This occurred as a result of large-scale Ukrainian drone attacks.
