An oil processing plant in Russia’s Bashkiria was attacked by a drone, says regional manager

MOSCOW – Russia’s Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat oil processing, petrochemical and fertilizer complex in the Bashkiria region was attacked by a drone but is functioning as usual, Radiy Khabirov, the region’s head, said on his Telegram channel on Thursday.

State news agency RIA, citing emergency services, said the drone strike damaged a pumping station building at the plant, one of Russia’s largest, but no one was injured.

Ukraine has increased its drone attacks on oil processing facilities in Russia since the beginning of the year. Moscow describes the attacks as terrorist and has responded by launching so-called revenge strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure.

Ukraine says the oil facilities are legitimate targets that support Russia’s military efforts.

A Ukrainian drone strike on Thursday sparked a fire and damaged several storage tanks at a fuel depot in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region, according to local officials. REUTERS