Drones cause explosions, spark fires at three Russian oil plants

According to Russia's Defense Ministry, air defenses intercepted and destroyed 85 drones. The most — 40 UAVs — were shot down over Voronezh Oblast. Another 20 over Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, and 10 over Belgorod Oblast.

The rest were neutralized over Kursk, Lipetsk, Volgograd and Saratov oblasts, as well as over the Republic of Bashkortostan.

Bashkortostan leader Radiy Habirov said an industrial complex in Sterlitamak came under strike, with debris falling in an industrial zone near an auxiliary workshop.

Meanwhile, Mayor Emil Shaymardanov clarified: An explosion occurred in the water treatment workshop at the Sterlitamak Petrochemical Plant. As a result, part of the workshop collapsed.

According to the Russian Telegram channel Astra, fires broke out at once on two enterprises in Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, following the overnight attack. This involved an industrial zone near the Lukoil-Nizhny Novgorodnefteorgsintez oil refinery and the Sibur-Kstovo petrochemical plant. The facilities are located next to each other.

Locals reported explosions, filmed bright glows over the city and a fire that erupted after the attack.

The petrochemical plant produces ethylene, propylene, benzene and a range of hydrocarbon fractions. It can thus manufacture components for explosives.

Meanwhile, Lukoil-Nizhny Novgorodnefteorgsintez is one of Russia's leading refineries. It is considered vital for supplying Moscow Oblast, which accounts for about 30% of the country's gasoline consumption.

Volgograd Oblast Governor Andrey Bocharov reported that debris from a UAV ignited a fire at the electrical substation site in Frolovo.

And the evening before, Kursk Oblast Governor Alexander Khinshtein reported an attack on a substation in Rylsk. As a result, more than 16,000 consumers in various districts were left without power.