Major oil refinery, logistics center set ablaze in reported Ukrainian attack

Ukrainian military reportedly launched an attack on Russia's Samara Oblast on August 22, targeting a major oil refinery and a commercial logistics center, according to Russian Telegram media channels. Thick black smoke was seen rising from the Novokuybyshevsk oil refinery, which has a capacity of 8.8 million metric tons of oil per year and is one of the ten largest refineries in Russia. The plant produces gasoline, diesel fuel, and fuel oil.

Later in the night, a large fire was also observed at a warehouse in the neighboring town of Chapayevsk, owned by the Russian e-commerce giant Ozon, which competes with Wildberries. The communities are located around 900 kilometers (560 miles) from the front line in Ukraine. It is unclear what type of weaponry was used in the attack, though Ukrainian forces frequently conduct long-range drone strikes on targets deep within Russia. The Kyiv Independent has not been able to verify the reports.

As of now, Ukraine's military has not commented on the attack, and the extent of the damage caused remains uncertain. This attack follows a drone strike on Russia's Perm oil refinery the previous day, just a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the incident.