““The special operation was carried out using Ukrainian-made drones and missiles,” RFE/RL’s source in the Security Service of Ukraine reported.”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
On Thursday morning, Acting Governor Yuriy Slyusar said that the region “underwent a massive attack” with the use of 30 drones and three missiles.
“Most air targets were neutralized. But as I already reported, there was a fire at the Novoshakhty Oil Products Plant… As a result of the fall of the drone fragments, one person was injured in a settlement near Rostov,” Slyusar said.
Later, he added that the fire at the petroleum products plant was extinguished.
The Ministry of Defense of Russia also announced “attempts by the Kyiv regime” to attack objects on the territory of the Russian Federation with drones. The agency claims that local air defense forces allegedly shot down 84 Ukrainian UAVs.
Read also: The General Staff of the Armed Forces confirmed the attack on an oil depot in the Bryansk region of Russia
Subsequently, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced the destruction of a strategic object in Russia by the forces and means of the Naval Forces and the Security Service of Ukraine in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces:
“Infrastructure and production facilities of JSC “Novoshakhty Oil Plant” located in the Rostov Region of the Russian Federation were damaged. This is the only refinery operating in the Rostov region. It is used to meet the needs of the armed forces of the Russian Federation.”
According to the Ukrainian command, the plant produces fuel oil, furnace, marine and diesel fuel, straight-run gasoline, its projected processing capacity reaches 7.5 million tons of oil per year.
“A fire has been confirmed in the vicinity of the object, namely at the catalytic cracking unit ЕЛОУ-АВТ-2.5. More detailed information on the consequences of the damage is currently being clarified,” the General Staff adds.
An informed source in the SBU told RFE/RL that Ukrainian-made drones and missiles were used for the strikes:
“Today’s special operation was carried out using Ukrainian-made drones and missiles. This once again proves the effectiveness and power of Ukrainian weapons. Including its ability to destroy enemy logistics, which is working for the war in Ukraine.”
Since the beginning of 2024, Russian refineries have been regularly attacked by Ukrainian drones. At some plants, primary oil processing units failed and required repair. However, already in April, Russia was able to partially restore the capacities of key oil refineries.
According to the BBC’s calculations, published in August, since the beginning of the year, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have attacked refineries and oil infrastructure in Russia at least 64 times.