Ukraine's intel hits Russia's Bashkortostan refinery with drones, sources
llustrative photo: HUR drones hit Russian oil refinery (Russian media)
Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR) attacked a refinery in Bashkortostan using drones. After the kamikaze drones struck, explosions erupted, followed by a large-scale fire, according to RBC-Ukraine sources.
Sources report that HUR targeted the Bashneft-Novoyl refinery in Ufa, the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan.
According to the sources, powerful explosions erupted on the site after the drone attack, triggering a massive fire.
Preliminary reports indicate significant damage, including to the vacuum column used in primary oil processing.
Local residents reported on social media that drones flew over the city, followed by explosions and a fire at the oil refinery.
Authorities in the republic declared a UAV threat alert. Ufa airport suspended operations, and mobile internet in the city was shut down.
"The final consequences of the operation are currently being clarified," a source told RBC-Ukraine.
Attack on the Ufa oil refinery
Earlier today, Russian media reported that strike drones targeted the Novo-Ufimsky oil refinery in Bashkortostan overnight.
The facility is located approximately 900 miles (1,500 kilometers) from the border with Ukraine.
RBC-Ukraine published footage showing the aftermath of the strike on the Russian refinery, as well as the moment of impact captured by the Russians.
On the night of September 12, several regions in Russia were attacked by unidentified drones. Over the past year, Russians have increasingly reported drone attacks and explosions across the country.
For example, on the morning of August 7, Russians reported explosions and fires in the Krasnodar region. They said unidentified drones had targeted an oil refinery and a military facility.
Later that day, Ukraine's General Staff confirmed a strike on the Afipsky refinery, along with attacks on other critical sites.
Following drone attacks on Poland, strikes on Russia could become more frequent. Recently, Thomas Rövekamp, head of the Bundestag Defense Committee, urged NATO to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons and allow it to destroy Russian drones before they enter Ukrainian airspace.
He noted that, in the context of the ongoing war, the most effective way to counter drones is to destroy production facilities and the systems used to launch them.
