'Serious disruption' — Russian oil pumping station in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast hit by Ukrainian drones, SBU source says

Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Ukrainian drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine's Special Operations Center "A" struck the "Gorky" oil pumping station in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod Oblast overnight on April 23, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent.

More than 150 Ukrainian drones attacked Russia and the occupied Crimean Peninsula overnight, according to Russia's Defense Ministry, with local residents reporting explosions in various parts of the country.

The strike on the "Gorky" oil pumping station damaged three oil storage tanks, sparking a large fire that spread over an area of 20,000 square meters, according to the preliminary reports.

"Damage to such key facilities causes serious disruptions to oil supply logistics within Russia," the source said. "The operation of main pipelines is disrupted, refinery efficiency declines, and transportation costs increase."

"This directly affects Russian budget revenues, which are used to finance the war against Ukraine."

The "Gorky" oil pumping station is part of Transneft, Russia's largest state-controlled pipeline transport company, and handles the transfer of crude oil along domestic routes, including to the Lukoil refinery in Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, the source said.

The oil facility, located in the village of Meshiha, also supports the operation of major oil pipelines, transporting crude along routes including Surgut–Gorky–Polotsk, the source added.

Attacks were also reported on an oil depot in occupied Feodosia in Crimea, as well as a substation in occupied Melitopol.

In Feodosia, the Telegram channel 'Crimean Wind' reported that the facility was reportedly hit five times, sparking a fire. Residents across the peninsula reported hearing numerous explosions.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Kremlin-appointed head of Sevastopol, claimed that Russian air defenses were repelling the attack and said several aerial targets had been downed over the city.

Drones also struck Russia's Samara Oblast, hitting the cities of Samara and Novokuibyshevsk and marking the second consecutive night of reported attacks in the region.

One person was killed in Novokuibyshevsk, while two others were hospitalized in Samara after a drone hit a residential building, regional officials said.

Residents reported hearing explosions and drones overhead overnight, with footage and accounts indicating that windows were blown out on the upper floors of a multi-story building and a fire broke out.

Emergency services responded at the scene, and residents were evacuated as crews worked to contain the damage.

Authorities also reported explosions across the region and declared an air raid alert, while Kurumoch Airport temporarily suspended arriving and departing flights.

The Kyiv Independent cannot immediately verify the reports or claims made by Russian officials.

Samara Oblast, a regular target of strikes deep within Russian territory, is located approximately 750 kilometers (466 miles) from the Ukraine-Russia border.