Russian Penza hit by drones, oil base ablaze
Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations firefighter (Photo: Telegram: mchs_official)
In the Russian city of Penza, a fire broke out at an oil depot following an attack by unidentified drones, according to Russian media and the governor of the Penza region.
Reports indicate that unknown drones were spotted in the sky over the Penza region during the night of January 23.
Subsequently, information began to emerge about a fire at a local oil depot.
The regional governor, Oleg Melnichenko, wrote on social media that at around 4 a.m., a drone attack caused a fire at the oil depot in Penza.
The fire was extinguished by 46 firefighters using 14 pieces of equipment.
The pro-Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+ posted video footage of the fire.
#Russian Penza hit by drones, oil base ablazehttps://t.co/5EfxgpmuRZ pic.twitter.com/KuTY0J8nU4
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) January 23, 2026
Attacks on Penza
According to RBC-Ukraine, in September 2025, a series of explosions in the Russian city of Penza disabled a major oil pipeline and a regional gas pipeline. As a result, two main oil pipeline lines with a capacity of 2 million barrels per day were shut down.
In the same section, two additional regional gas pipeline lines were damaged. It is noted that the affected oil and gas infrastructure was used to supply Russian military facilities involved in the war against Ukraine.
Shortly after the explosions, local media began spreading claims of so-called planned exercises involving emergency and specialized services on the oil and gas infrastructure. In this way, the Russian authorities attempted to conceal the true circumstances of the incident.
In August, it was also reported that drones attacked Penza and the Samara region. These strikes caused fires near a refinery and on the territory of two defense enterprises.
Electropribor Production Association, located in Penza, is linked to the defense sector and the execution of Russia’s state defense orders.
