Ukrainian Drone Strikes Ignite Fires at Russian Oil Refineries

Ukrainian drones have struck Russian oil refineries in Salavat and Volgograd, igniting substantial fires and disrupting operations. The Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat facility in Bashkortostan, approximately 1,200 kilometers southeast of Moscow, was hit on 18 September 2025, damaging the ELOU-AVT-4 primary oil refining unit, which processes about 4 million tons annually. Less than a week later, on 24 September, the refinery was targeted again, resulting in another fire.

In Volgograd, the Lukoil-operated refinery experienced a fire on 14 August 2025, following a drone attack. The Russian defense ministry reported downing nine drones overnight in Volgograd Oblast, with falling debris causing the blaze.

These incidents are part of a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, aiming to disrupt fuel supplies to the front lines. In August 2025 alone, at least 13 such attacks were reported, marking the highest monthly number since the conflict began.

The Russian government has not provided detailed assessments of the damage but has indicated that operations at the affected facilities continue. The international community remains watchful of these developments and their potential impact on global energy markets.