Ukrainian drones strike a major refinery deep inside Russia, setting it ablaze

Ukrainian drones struck the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat oil refining and petrochemical complex in Russia’s Bashkortostan overnight, causing a fire, Russia’s General Staff said Thursday. The facility, southeast of Moscow about 1,300 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, processes up to 74 million barrels of oil annually and produces gasoline, diesel and other products. The attack was Kyiv’s fourth in three days aimed at disrupting Russia’s oil sector, which officials say has dented refining capacity and contributed to fuel shortages at gas stations. Bashkortostan’s governor said two civilians were wounded. Repairs elsewhere, including an Orsk refinery, could take up to six months due to sanctions.