Fire Erupts at Russian Oil Refinery Following Reported Drone Strike

The Ufa refinery, a key supplier of fuel for Russia's military, caught fire in an incident alleged to involve Ukrainian drones, though claims remain unverified.

A fire broke out at the Bashneft-owned Ufa oil refinery in Russia's Bashkortostan region, located approximately 900 miles from the Ukrainian border.
Russian authorities stated the fire, which took seven hours to extinguish, was caused by technical issues, though reports of drones and explosions were noted by local sources.
Ukrainian officials have suggested the incident was a drone attack targeting a facility of strategic importance to Russia's military operations.
The refinery processes up to 168,000 barrels of oil per day and produces crucial military supplies, including aviation and diesel fuel for equipment and vehicles.
This incident marks one of the deepest reported strikes on Russian infrastructure in the ongoing conflict, though claims of Ukrainian involvement have not been independently verified.