Ukraine's drones strike major Russian refinery 800 miles from border, fourth in three days
The Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat complex processes up to 74 million barrels annually. Repairs at another damaged facility could take six months.
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Ukrainian drones struck a major Russian refinery deep inside Russia on Thursday, the fourth strike in three days in Kyiv's monthslong campaign to choke Moscow's vital oil sector.
Ukraine's General Staff said its forces hit the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat oil refining and petrochemical complex in Russia's republic of Bashkortostan overnight, causing a fire at the facility. The complex, located southeast of Moscow about 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) from Ukraine's border, is one of Russia's largest oil refining and petrochemical facilities. The plant processes up to 74 million barrels of oil annually, producing gasoline, diesel fuel and other products.
Russia's Bashkortostan governor said a drone attack wounded two civilians and started a fire in an industrial zone of Salavat. Wildberries, Russia's biggest online retailer, said a fire also started at one of its facilities in the Salavat industrial zone after the overnight attack, though the company said the facility was evacuated and goods were not being stored there.
The attacks have dented Russia's refining capacity, bringing shortages at gas stations. Kyiv officials say the onslaught seeks to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to seek a peace deal, though there is no sign that strategy is working.
Meanwhile, a Russian refinery in Orsk that was hit by Ukrainian drones earlier this week has suspended operations. A regional governor said that key infrastructure including foreign equipment was struck and, taking international sanctions into account, repairs could take up to six months.
By the numbers
How much oil does the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat complex process annually?
The Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat complex processes up to 74 million barrels of oil annually, producing gasoline, diesel fuel and other products.
How long could repairs take at the Orsk refinery?
Repairs at the Orsk refinery could take up to six months, according to a regional governor citing damage to key infrastructure and the impact of international sanctions.
