Drone Attacks Ignite Fires at Russian Oil and Chemical Facilities

A wave of drone attacks targeted multiple locations across Russia early Wednesday, October 29, igniting an oil depot in the Ulyanovsk region and causing temporary disruptions at several airports, Russian media and officials reported.

Residents near Moscow reported drone activity on the evening of October 28, prompting brief suspensions of operations at Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports. Flights later resumed. Monitoring channels indicated that between 100 to 130 drones were observed over Russian territory late Tuesday. Subsequently, airspace restrictions were implemented at airports in Vladikavkaz, Grozny, and Samara.

Around 12:20 a.m. local time, explosions were reported near Novospasskoye in the Ulyanovsk region, followed by videos depicting a large fire at an oil depot. Russian Telegram channels suggested the facility belonged to NS-Oil OJSC. In the Stavropol Territory, drones reportedly attacked Stavrolen LLC, a major petrochemical producer. Later, around 2 a.m., drones targeted the Mari Oil Refinery in the Republic of Mari El, with footage showing bright flashes in the sky.

Russia's Ministry of Defense stated that 100 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones were shot down overnight, including 46 over the Bryansk region, 12 over Kaluga, and six over the Moscow region. The Ukrainian military has not commented on the reported attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that strikes on Russian oil refining facilities have significantly impacted Moscow's economy. He estimated that Russia has lost more than 20% of its oil refining capacity, leading to fuel shortages and increased prices. Zelensky highlighted that 90–95% of deep-strike operations inside Russia now utilize Ukrainian-made systems.

The Institute for the Study of War previously reported that Ukraine's refinery strikes have sharply driven up fuel prices in Russia, affecting more than 70% of the population. Since August, Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on Russian oil and gas infrastructure, causing widespread fuel shortages and prompting Moscow to limit gasoline and diesel sales while importing supplies from other countries.