Russia hit by drones again as oil refinery on fire in Ryazan
Illustrative photo: Russia continues to come under drone attacks (Getty Images)
On the night of May 23, Russia came under another large-scale drone attack. Explosions were heard in several regions as air defense systems were activated, according to NASA’s FIRMS service, Lipetsk region governor Igor Artamonov, Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin, and Russian social media channels.
Drone flights and explosions from attacks were recorded overnight in parts of Moscow, Tula, Ryazan, and Lipetsk regions.
Moscow region
Around 1 AM, Moscow’s mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, reported that Russian air defense systems shot down six drones flying toward Moscow.
At 2:41 AM, Sobyanin added that the military shot down three more drones heading for the city. Emergency teams are working at the sites where the drone debris fell.
According to eyewitnesses, explosions were heard in the Troitsk district of Moscow and the Pervomayskoye settlement.
Tula region
Tula governor Dmitry Milyaev reported on his channel that the threat from drones remains high in the region.
"The air defense units of Russia’s Ministry of Defense have repelled their fifteenth attack. In the last two days, 37 drones have been destroyed," he wrote.
Residents of Tula reported explosions over the city, with air defense systems active. Car alarms have gone off, and fragments of downed drones are visible in the sky.
Lipetsk region
In the city of Yelets, Lipetsk region, drones attacked PJSC Energia, a company producing chemical power sources. Debris falling caused a large fire on the company’s premises.
"The drones were suppressed over Yelets. Debris fell in the industrial area, causing a fire. Emergency services are on site, and evacuation is underway," said Lipetsk governor Igor Artamonov.
Ryazan region
Official reports of drone attacks in the region are currently absent.
However, NASA’s monitoring service has recorded a fire at the Rosneft oil refinery in Ryazan following a drone strike.
Rosneft oil refinery in Ryazan
The Rosneft oil refinery in Ryazan is one of the five largest in Russia and supplies fuel, including to the Moscow region.
In January and February, Ukrainian forces repeatedly attacked the facility with strike drones, causing temporary halts in oil processing.
Last year, due to drone attacks and repair issues, Russia’s oil refining volumes fell to a 12-year low - 267 million tons. Export of oil products dropped by 9%, to 113.7 million tons.
The Russian government has classified statistics on gasoline and diesel fuel production.
Drone attacks on Russia
Russia has been under drone strike attacks for the third consecutive day.
On the night of May 21, explosions were heard in the Tula and Ryazan regions due to air defense activity. Airports in Kaluga, Tula, Yaroslavl, and Kostroma temporarily suspended operations.
In particular, in the Oryol region, drones attacked the Bolkhov Semiconductor Device Plant, which manufactures military equipment.
On the night of May 22, strike drones targeted seven Russian regions.
