Ukraine strikes Russian oil plant in Bashkortostan for second time in a week, SBU source says
Editor's note: The story has been updated with comments from an SBU source.
Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) drones again struck the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat petrochemical plant in Russia's Bashkortostan Republic, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent on Sept. 24.
A fire broke out at the plant following several drone strikes, the source said. Local authorities have also confirmed the attack.
"All emergency services are working on site, and efforts to extinguish the fire are underway," Radiy Khabirov, head of the Bashkortostan Republic, said on his Telegram channel.
The extent of damage is being assessed, Khabirov added, without mentioning possible casualties.
The Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat facility is one of Russia’s largest oil refining and petrochemical plants, producing 150 different types of products, including gasoline and diesel fuel. It is located some 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) from the front line in Ukraine.
The facility was previously hit by long-range SBU drones on Sept. 18, triggering a "massive explosion" at the center of the facility, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent at the time.
Independent news outlet Astra published footage showing a black plume of smoke rising in the area of the plant, noting that locals reported "loud noises."
The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.
Ukrainian forces have intensified attacks on Russia's oil industry over the past year, forcing operational suspensions and exacerbating a nationwide fuel shortage. Kyiv considers Russian oil refineries and petrochemical facilities to be valid military targets as they help fund Moscow's war machine.
