Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia burns after explosions
Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia (photo: Russian media)
The Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery came under attack again during the daytime on December 25. Up to 10 explosions were heard at the facility, and a large fire broke out. One of Russia's largest oil refineries has been taken out of operation, according to Russian media and Rostov region governor Yury Slyusar.
It is reported that the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery, located near the city of the same name in Russia's Rostov region, was attacked during the daytime on December 25. What exactly was used to attack the refinery is currently unknown, but Russian monitoring channels reported Storm Shadow cruise missiles heading toward the region before the explosions.
Rostov region governor Yury Slyusar was forced to confirm an air attack on the facility. He stated that there were allegedly no casualties and that firefighting efforts were underway.
"As a result of the air attack, explosions occurred on the territory of Novoshakhtinsk. According to preliminary information, there are no dead or injured. Information is being clarified. Emergency response services are currently on site, and firefighting has been organized," he said.
Residents reported more than 10 explosions at the refinery. Despite the governor's demands, photos and videos from the attack site have already appeared online, showing a huge column of black smoke over the facility and intense flames.
Strikes on Russian oil refineries: Latest updates
On the night of December 25, long-range drones of the Alpha Special Operations Center of the Security Service of Ukraine successfully struck two key oil and gas sector facilities in Russia at the port of Temryuk and in Orenburg. Oil product storage tanks at the port caught fire, while a gas processing plant in Orenburg was shut down.
On the night of December 17, Ukraine's Defense Forces attacked strategic military-industrial and oil refining facilities in Russia, including an oil depot and an oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region. In particular, the Slavyansk oil refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban was hit once again.
On December 14, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that the Defense Forces struck the Afipsky oil refinery, an oil depot in Uryupinsk, and several Russian military facilities in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
In addition, several days earlier, on December 12, the General Staff reported that Ukraine's Defense Forces struck the Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery in Russia's Yaroslavl region. Strikes were also carried out on an ammunition depot and areas where Russian forces were concentrated in the Donetsk region.
