In southern Russia, a large-scale drone attack occurred on Monday, causing fires at a major oil refinery and gas processing plant, leading to flight disruptions from the Volga to the Caucasus Mountains, as reported by Russian and Ukrainian officials.
The Russian defense ministry announced that 70 Ukrainian drones were intercepted and destroyed over Russian territory, with specific numbers detailed for different regions. Governor Andrei Bocharov of Volgograd stated, “The air defense forces repelled a massive drone attack on the Volgograd region.”
The attacks, as per Ukrainian and Russian authorities, are part of the ongoing conflict between the two countries. Russia views them as acts of terrorism and accuses the West of supporting them. Ukraine asserts its right to target Russian infrastructure in response to Russia's military actions.
Reports from Telegram channels hinted at explosions near Lukoil's refinery in Volgograd and a fire at a gas processing plant near Astrakhan. The incident prompted suspensions of flights from several airports, later reinstated by Rosaviatsia for air safety reasons.