Fire erupts at oil refinery in Russian Republic of Komi from Ukrainian drone strike

​​​​​​​By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - A fire erupted at an oil refinery in the Russian Republic of Komi from a Ukrainian drone strike, the region’s governor said Thursday.

Rostislav Goldshteyn said on Telegram that the region was attacked by Ukrainian drones and a fire was detected at the Lukoil-owned Ukhta oil refinery.

“Emergency services are on scene. According to preliminary information, there are no casualties,” said Goldshteyn.

Expressing that all necessary safety measures are being taken, Goldshteyn said emergency services are working in an “enhanced mode.”

He later added that airports in Syktyvkar, the region’s capital, and the industrial town of Ukhta, have resumed operations, and temporary restrictions on arrivals and departures have been lifted.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the country's air defenses shot down 13 Ukrainian drones between 8 am and 12 pm Moscow time (0500GMT and 0900GMT), of which nine were downed above the Komi Republic.

Separately, Ukraine's General Staff confirmed it targeted the Ukhta oil refinery, noting that the facility is 1,750 kilometers (1,087 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

Moscow and Kyiv have regularly accused each other of strikes against energy infrastructure amid US-mediated peace negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which will enter its fifth year later this month.