'Oil and gas sanctions in action': Ukrainian drones hit Volgograd refinery and Astrakhan plant in Russia
Illustrative photo: SSU and SOF hit Volgograd refinery and Astrakhan gas processing plant (facebook.com/SecurSerUkraine)
On the night of Monday, February 3, the Volgograd oil refinery and Astrakhan gas processing plant in Russia were attacked by Ukrainian drones from the Security Service (SSU) and the Special Operations Forces.
.According to RBC-Ukraine sources in the SSU, at the Volgograd plant, SSU and SOF drones hit the flare farm, primary processing units No.2 and No.3, as well as process units No.20 and No.21.
The gas condensate processing complex at Astrakhan GPP was damaged. A fire is ongoing, the plant has been shut down and workers evacuated.
Both affected facilities are major producers of fuel for the Russian army. The Volgograd refinery processes almost 6% of all oil in Russia, and the Astrakhan gas processing plant is one of the key energy facilities in Russia, processing 12 billion cubic meters of gas condensate annually.
“This is the fifth successful SSU special operation since the beginning of the year to target refineries and other Russian companies that operate in the military-industrial complex and produce fuel for the Russian army. The drone sanctions policy is proving to be effective,” an SSU source said.
What General Staff says
The General Staff said that the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine, in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces, struck the Volgograd oil refinery, Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka, and the Astrakhan gas processing plant on the night of February 3.
According to preliminary reports, the primary processing units at the Volgograd refinery were damaged. The Astrakhan GPP is still on fire and has suspended operations.
The effect and extent of the damage are being clarified.
What Special Operations Forces say
The Special Operations Forces clarified that the authorities of the Volgograd region, which is located more than 500 kilometers from the territory controlled by the Ukrainian army, declared a “red” level of danger after dozens of explosions and closed the Volgograd airport.
They added that the Astrakhan gas processing plant is one of Russia's key energy enterprises. It processes 12 billion cubic meters of gas condensate annually.
“Ukrainian drones that flew about 1,000 kilometers damaged the gas condensate processing complex there. The fire at the facility, which is strategic for the enemy army and economy, is still ongoing. The plant's operation has been suspended,” the statement said.
Drone attack on February 3
Earlier, we wrote that on the night of February 3, the territory of Russia was again attacked by drones. A gas processing plant near Astrakhan was hit.
Also on the night of February 3, drones attacked a refinery owned by Lukoil in Volgograd, Russia.
