Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Refinery 1,400 Kilometers From Front, SBU Source Says
Ufa, Bashkortostan, Russia – Several explosions and a subsequent fire broke out at the crude-oil processing unit ELOU-AVT-6 of the bashneft-Novoyl refinery in Ufa, Bashkortostan, on October 11, according to sources. A plume of black smoke was visible rising from the plant, and fire crews were dispatched to the scene. the extent of damage and any potential casualties remain unconfirmed by regional authorities.
The attack, carried out approximately 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) from the front line in Ukraine, marks the third drone strike attributed to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) against targets in Bashkortostan within the past month. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its forces downed five fixed-wing Ukrainian drones over the region on the same day. This latest strike is part of a broader Ukrainian campaign targeting Russian oil infrastructure, aiming to disrupt Russia’s war effort and revenue streams.
Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) previously struck the Bashneft-Novoyl refinery on September 12. Prior to that, the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat petrochemical plant in the same region was hit in two separate drone attacks on September 18 and September 24.
According to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukrainian attacks have reduced Russia’s oil processing capacity by 21%. This has led to gasoline shortages in several Russian regions, prompting Moscow to increase fuel imports.
The strikes against Russian energy infrastructure come as Russia has escalated its own attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, most recently with a large-scale drone and missile strike on October 10 that caused widespread blackouts in Kyiv and othre areas.
