Ukraine Drone Sparks Fire at One of Russia’s Largest Oil Plants

Reuters

Bashneft’s Novoil refinery in the central Russian city of Ufa.

A Ukrainian drone struck one of Russia’s largest oil-refining complexes on Saturday, 13 September 2025, triggering a fire and causing minor damage, according to Russian officials.

The facility, owned by Russian oil company Bashneft, is located on the outskirts of the central Russian city of Ufa, approximately 1,400 kilometres from the frontline in Ukraine.

Footage circulated on social media appeared to show a drone drifting towards the refinery before exploding in a ball of flames, sending a plume of smoke into the sky.

“Today, Bashneft’s facility was subjected to a terrorist attack by aircraft-type drones,” the head of Russia’s Bashkortostan region, Radiy Khabirov, said on Telegram.

One drone crashed into the plant, while another was shot down, he said.

“There were no casualties or injuries. The production site sustained minor damage, and a fire broke out, which is currently being extinguished,” he added.

Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency claimed responsibility for the attack, according to The Guardian.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv has repeatedly targeted Russian refineries to limit Moscow’s ability to finance the war. Ukrainian strikes over the summer have disrupted production at key facilities, contributing to higher fuel prices.

The Bashneft Ufa refinery, described by the Kremlin in 2016 as one of the country’s largest, produces over 150 types of oil products.

Source: The Guardian



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