In the early hours of March 28, an oil refinery in Yaroslavl, Russia, was struck by unidentified drones, resulting in multiple impacts and subsequent fires at the facility.
Reports from various sources, including videos circulating on social media, confirmed the drone strikes, which ignited fires in at least three locations within the refinery. The facility is one of Russia’s largest oil processing plants.
Mikhail Evraev, the governor of the Yaroslavl region, claimed that over 30 drones were intercepted during the attack. He also noted that restrictions on aircraft operations were implemented at Yaroslavl airport late on March 27.
Footage indicates that the drones approached from the northwest, flying over the city before targeting the industrial area, a route likely chosen to evade Russian air defense systems.
Fires were reported in several areas, including the production loading ramp and gas storage sections, suggesting damage to technological equipment and the storage of processed products. However, the limited video evidence makes it challenging to determine the extent of the damage.
The Yaroslavl Oil Refinery, also known as Slavneft-YANOS, has been operational since 1961 and is crucial for both civilian fuel supply and military needs, processing approximately 15 million tons of oil annually.
Located about 250 kilometers from Moscow and over 700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, the refinery was previously considered a secure site, having faced drone attacks in January 2024 and December 2025.
A drone strike on March 28 targeted the Yaroslavl Oil Refinery in Russia, causing multiple fires and highlighting vulnerabilities in the region's air defenses. The facility, vital for military and civilian fuel, has faced similar attacks in the past.