Ukrainian drones launched a series of attacks on energy facilities in southern Russia, triggering fires at a major oil refinery and a gas processing plant. The attacks disrupted air travel and highlighted the escalating conflict.
A fire erupted at a gas processing plant in Russia's Astrakhan region following Ukrainian drone strikes on February 3rd. Russian and Ukrainian officials confirmed the attacks, which targeted energy facilities in southern Russia, disrupting flights from the Volga region to the Caucasus Mountains.
According to Russia's defense ministry, their air defense units intercepted and destroyed 70 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight, including 25 over the Volgograd region, 27 over the Rostov region, and seven over the Astrakhan region. Volgograd Governor Andrei Bocharov reported falling drone debris sparked several fires at an oil refinery in the region, although he did not specify which refinery was affected. Kyiv's strategy to counter Russia's military dominance involves striking deep into Russian territory with drones and missiles. These attacks have even resulted in the death of a senior military commander in Moscow. While Russia condemns these actions as terrorism and an escalation of the war, accusing the West of providing weapons and targeting information, Ukraine maintains its right to retaliate, arguing that Russia's energy infrastructure is crucial to its war effort. Baza, a Russian news Telegram channel close to security services, reported a series of explosions near an oil refinery operated by Lukoil, Russia's second-largest oil producer, in Volgograd. The refinery, with a daily capacity of 300,000 barrels, is the largest in southern Russia. It processed 13.508 million metric tons of oil in 2023, representing 4.9% of total refining volume in Russian refineries. In the neighboring Astrakhan region, Governor Igor Babushkin confirmed Ukrainian drone attempts to target energy facilities, including a gas processing plant. Videos circulating on social media showed massive flames and thick black smoke engulfing a processing plant, prompting shock from witnesses. Reuters could not independently verify battlefield reports from either side. Gazprom and Lukoil are yet to respond to requests for comment on whether their facilities were attacked. Russia's aviation watchdog, Rosaviatsia, temporarily suspended flights from Astrakhan and Volgograd airports, as well as from Kazan, Nizhnekamsk, Saratov, and Ulyanovsk to ensure air safety
DRONE ATTACKS UKRAINE RUSSIA ENERGY FACILITIES OIL REFINERY GAS PROCESSING PLANT FIRE AIR TRAVEL DISRUPTION
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