Russia says 'massive' drone attack targeted 'industrial enterprise' amid reports oil refinery hit

Russian authorities reported a major drone attack targeting an industrial enterprise in the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast overnight, with some sources indicating that a key oil refinery in the region may have also been hit. According to regional governor Gleb Nikitin, the massive UAV assault caused significant damage to an industrial facility in the Kstovsky district, though no casualties have been reported.

Over 100 drones were reportedly destroyed in the operation, and emergency crews are currently working at the scene. Nikitin mentioned that the incident might lead to temporary power cuts, as well as reduced hot water and heating supplies in certain residential areas. The targeted oil refinery, known as the Kstovo refinery or Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez, is one of Russia's largest facilities, producing diesel and aviation fuel.

Earlier this week, a major fire broke out at another Russian oil refinery in the Samara region following a drone attack, prompting dramatic images of towering columns of black smoke. This incident came after Ukraine reportedly paused strikes on Russian refineries due to pressure from Washington, which has blamed the attacks on a rise in global diesel prices.

Ukraine had been increasing its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure throughout the year, focusing on oil refineries, terminals, and depots to impact a crucial economic sector and weaken the Kremlin's military efforts. The latest reported attack follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's claim that around 280,000 Ukrainian households were left without power after Russian strikes on Friday night.

Russian forces reportedly targeted a combined heat and power plant in Kyiv and four electrical substations in the eastern Dnipro region, among other sites.