A fire broke out at the Novoșahtinsk oil refinery – the only refinery in the Rostov region – has been expanded and continued in a fourth day from a Ukrainian attack with drones performed on Thursday. Clips distributed on social networks show the refinery in flames.
NovoșahTinsk is one of the most important refineries in southern Russia, with a processing capacity of about 100,000 barrels per day (about 5 million tonnes annually), reports Euromaidan Press.
On the morning of August 21, Ukrainian “Kamikaze” drones with long range pierced the air defense, although it should have been a solid one. The refinery is defended by Panțir and Tor anti -aircraft systems. The inhabitants reported about five explosions. They have triggered a fire that in the meantime was extended.
Observers, the inhabitants of NovoșahTinsk and the surrounding areas are affected by these attacks: the water pressure has decreased, some areas, such as Krasni Sulin, were left without running water, and the quality of the air was worse.
“The targeting of fuel infrastructure is a strategic war, and has a huge impact,” notes military expert Yigal Levin.
The workers from the refinery are still called at work, although they would not receive their four-month salaries.
“People come to work, although they are still waiting for the payment, which does not come,” he says.
Ukraine has intensified its attacks on Russia's oil infrastructure – refineries, warehouses, pipes – while Moscow has been attacking drones and rockets on cities, civil areas and energy installations in Ukraine.
The NovoșahTinsk refinery is vital for both regional fuel supply and military logistics, notes Euromaidan Press.
In recent weeks, several important refineries – including Sizran, Volgograd, Novokuibîșevsk, Riazan and Saratov – have suffered fires, temporary closures or capacity reductions following drone attacks.
The targeting of Moscow's energy assets highlights the increasing importance of infrastructure in war tactics.
