The largest oil refinery in southern Russia is shut down due to a drone attack

13 March, 2024 Novoshakhty Oil Plant. Source: nznp.ru Three drones crashed on the territory of an oil refinery in Novoshakhtinsk, Rostov region, which suspended its operations.

Vasily Golubev, governor of the Rostov region, announced this. "According to the updated information, as a result of the operation of regular electronic warfare systems, the UAVs crashed on the territory of the Novoshakhtinsk refinery. No casualties were reported.

The plant's technological facilities have been shut down. The aftermath is being clarified," Golubev emphasized. The extent of the damage to the plant's fuel tanks and units is not yet known, but a shutdown of the plant could lead to serious delays in the supply of fuels and lubricants.

Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery.

Source: Google Earth

The Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery is the only operating refinery in the Rostov region and the largest supplier of oil products in southern Russia.

Mass drone attacks on Russian facilities

Militarnyi previously reported that several dozen drones massively attacked Russian facilities on the night of March 13. In Ryazan, drones attacked an oil refinery. Eyewitnesses reported that three drones hit Ryazannefteprodukt, a subsidiary of Rosneft.

It is noted that the drones hit two primary oil refineries. According to various sources, a fire broke out in an area of 100-200 square meters. On the morning of March 13, there were also reports of a drone strike on the FSS building in Belgorod.

Windows were smashed in the building, and the facade was damaged.

Smoke in Belgorod. March 13, 2024. Russia.

Photo credits: ASTRA Telegram channel

In the Voronezh region, according to Alexander Gusev, head of the region, air defense forces claim they had allegedly shot down more than 30 drones. In the Leningrad region, governor Alexander Drozdenko claims that air defense forces neutralized a drone as it approached the Kirishinefteorgsintez oil refinery in the Kirishsky district. In the Bryansk region, air defense forces allegedly shot down eight drones, said governor Alexander Bogomaz.

In the Kursk region, the Russian military allegedly shot down six UAVs, according to Roman Starovoyt, head of the region.

Authorities in the Lipetsk region also reported that drones had attacked the region.

On March 7, a drone attacked a large metallurgical plant belonging to steelmaker Severstal in the Russian city of Cherepovets, Vologda region.