Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of the Defense Intelligence Service of Ukraine (HUR) attacked the Novokuybyshevsk oil refinery in Samara province, Russia, in the early morning of March 10, a source from HUR confirmed to Kyiv Independent.
The news came after several sources from Russia and Ukraine simultaneously reported the attack on the facility. This is part of Ukraine's systematic campaign to destroy Russian refineries, warehouses and military facilities, weakening Moscow's ability to carry out the conflict.
According to Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Counter-Information Center under the Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, the Novokuybyshevsk plant has a capacity of up to 8.8 million tons of oil per year, making it one of the top 10 largest refineries in Russia.
"This plant produces gasoline, diesel and fuel oil, which are important for transport vehicles and military equipment," said Mr. Kovalenko. Notably, the facility also supplies fuel to Russian Su-27 hypersonic aircraft and Tu-22 bombers, according to HUR.
Residents in Samara province reported hearing loud explosions in the early morning, Astra reported. Images from the scene show a fire broke out at a refinery managed by Rosneft Group. According to HUR, the attack took place at around 2am (local time).
The city of Novokuybyshevsk is located about 900 km from the front line in Ukraine and has been attacked at least twice in March 2024. "This plant plays a strategic role for the Russian military, ensuring a stable supply of fuel for military operations," Mr. Kovalenko emphasized.
Meanwhile, Russian state media such as RBC confirmed a fire at a 1,500-square-meter warehouse in Novokuybyshevsk but did not mention the UAV attack. There are currently no information about casualties.
The Russian Defense Ministry said it had shot down nine Ukrainian UAVs overnight, including three in Samara province, two invoronezh and Oryol, and one in Belgorod and Kursk.
Previously, on March 9, Ukrainian UAVs were also said to have attacked an oil storage depot in Cheboksary, the Republic of Chuvashia, marking the first time the area was attacked.
