Ukrainian drones reportedly damaged a major Russian oil refinery in Ryazan overnight, causing a fire that destroyed several pieces of equipment, including railway loading racks and hydrotreaters. The incident occurred as part of an extensive attack on the area’s infrastructure. Reuters reported that oil storage at the refinery was set ablaze, with damaged equipment posing significant operational challenges.
Russia’s Defense Ministry stated its air defenses successfully repelled the Ukrainian drone attack, intercepting and destroying 121 drones targeting key regions, including Moscow. Among these, 20 were said to be directed toward Ryazan. Ukraine also confirmed its involvement in the attack, with one source describing the refinery as a primary target alongside another plant in Bryansk.
Additional reports from Telegram channels suggested that large oil storage depots and power stations had been hit, further exacerbating the damage. One industry source noted that the railway loading rack alone was “on fire,” with adjacent reservoirs also damaged, effectively halting operations at the facility. The Ryazan refinery processed approximately 13.1 million metric tons of oil in 2024, contributing nearly 5% to Russia’s total refining capacity for the year.
The attack comes amid growing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides engaging in military posturing. For those interested in staying updated on energy sector developments, a subscription to Reuters’ Daily Briefing newsletter is available.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe