Ukrainian Security Service hits key Russian oil station, massive fire erupts (photos)
Photo: Gorky oil pumping station (social media)
On the night of Thursday, April 23, drones operated by the Alpha special operations center of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) struck the Gorky oil pumping station in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region, according to RBC-Ukraine's sources within the SBU.
Read also: Two more Russian refineries shut down after drone strikes – Reuters
The Gorky station is a key link in Russia’s oil transportation system and is part of Transneft - Upper Volga.
The station transports oil via main pipelines, including along the Surgut–Gorky–Polotsk route. It also ensures the pumping of crude to domestic routes, including to a Lukoil refinery in the city of Kstovo.
According to preliminary data, three oil storage tanks were damaged in the strike. A large-scale fire broke out, covering an area of 20,000 square meters.
Photo: fire at Gorky oil pumping station (social media)
Photo: fire at Gorky oil pumping station (social media)
Photo: fire at Gorky oil pumping station (social media)
Photo: fire at Gorky oil pumping station (social media)
“Strikes on such systemically important stations create serious disruptions in oil supply logistics within Russia. The operation of main pipelines is affected, refinery efficiency declines, and transportation costs increase,” the source said.
According to the source, this ultimately has a direct impact on Russian budget revenues, which are used to finance the war against Ukraine.
It is worth recalling that following previous drone attacks, two oil refineries owned by Rosneft — Tuapse and Novokuibyshevsk — were forced to halt operations.
In addition, on the night of April 22, drones attacked the Russian city of Syzran in the Samara region, where explosions were reported at a local refinery.
