Ukrainian drones strike oil refineries and airfield in major overnight attack

A large-scale Ukrainian drone attack hit two Russian oil refineries and a military airfield overnight, causing a major fire at one of the refineries that put it out of operation.

The Ilsky and Slavyansk oil refineries in Russia’s Krasnodar region were targeted by Ukrainian drones, causing fires at both of them.

The strikes hit “key technological facilities” at the two refineries, a Ukrainian defence source told AFP. A separate intelligence source told Reuters that Kyiv’s SBU security service conducted the attacks.

“The work of the plant has been partially suspended,” Eduard Trudnev, a representative of the Slavyansk refinery, was quoted as saying in Russian state media.

Attacks cause friction with US

“Exactly 10 UAVs (drones) flew exactly into the plant, there was a strong fire. There may be hidden damage.”

The Slavyansk refinery is capable of processing 4 million tons of oil a year. The continuing strikes against Russia’s oil refineries came despite growing friction between the US and Ukraine over the tactic, with US worries concerned it could raise global energy prices.

Ukrainian drones also targeted the Kushchevsk military airfield, although it was not immediately clear what damage was caused.

Ukraine fired more than 60 drones at southern Russia overnight, Moscow said, in one of its largest ever overnight drone attacks.

Meanwhile Russia launched its own barrage of missiles at Ukrainian power facilities in the early hours of Saturday, hitting locations in the centre and west of the country, damaging equipment and injuring at least one energy worker.

Ukraine’s air force said Moscow fired 34 missiles, of which 21 were shot down, as the army described it as a “massive” attack.

Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, said its four thermal power stations were hit and “serious damage” was caused.

Ukrainians told to cut energy use

Ukrenergo, the state electricity operator, said it disconnected its main overhead power line in the west of the country as a preventative measure.

“We ask all consumers to consume electricity sparingly. Industry is asked to maximise electricity imports and use alternative power sources,” Ukrenergo said in a statement.

The head of the western Lviv region called on residents not to use kettles, irons, washing machines and microwaves between 7:00pm and 10:00pm to preserve limited energy supplies.

State-run Naftogaz said gas infrastructure facilities came under attack but that service to consumers was not interrupted.