Drones Strike Oil Depots in Moscow and Orel Regions

11 March, 2025 Oil depots in the Moscow and Oryol regions. March 11, 2025. Photo credits: Astra

In the early hours of March 11, strike drones hit oil depots in the Moscow and Oryol regions. In particular, the Telegram channel Astra published a video of the fire and photos of the aftermath following the attack on the Oka-Center oil depot in the city of Serpukhov, Moscow region. The region's governor commented on today's drone attack on the city.

However, neither he nor the local authorities of Serpukhov have officially disclosed the exact location of the strike or the extent of the damage caused. A video captured by an eyewitness reveals thick plumes of black smoke rising from the oil depot in the early morning hours.

Elimination of the fire at the Oka-Center oil depot in Serpukhov. March 11, 2025.

Photo credits: Astra

However, based on the photos, it appears that the oil product tank itself was not damaged, with only the stairs leading to the roof of the tank sustaining damage. In the photo, near the base of the fuel tank, what seems to be the drone's warhead is visible, which failed to detonate upon impact.

Instead, the fuel inside the drone caught fire but was quickly put out.

Likely a drone warhead that did not explode at the Oka-Center oil depot in Serpukhov. March 11, 2025. Photo credits: Astra

Also, a video of a fire at night, likely at an oil depot near the city of Oryol in the Oryol region, was posted on social media.

The drones likely targeted the Russian Stalny Kony oil depot in the village of the same name. Russian propaganda resources reported the attack on the facility.

The aggressor country's Ministry of Defense also reported on the activity of drones in the region and the work of the Russian air defense to neutralize them.

Previous strikes

The facility was already attacked by strike drones at night, from December 13 to 14 and from December 21 to 22 last year. This resulted in fires.

The Stalny Kony oil depot.

Photo credits: andymackey57

The oil depot itself is located about 110 km from the Ukrainian border. It is owned by JSC Yugo-Zapad Transnefteprodukt and is an important element of the oil product pipeline to such facilities as linear pumping dispatching station Stanovo, intermediate pumping station Plavsk, 8H linear pumping dispatching station (Unecha), and filling station Bryansk.

Last night, dozens of attack drones struck Moscow and the Moscow region, marking what Russia has described as the largest attack since the onset of the war with Ukraine.

Russian sources reported that a total of 337 drones targeted multiple regions.