Russian oil refinery in southern Rostov region catches fire after Ukrainian airstrike

Fire at Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery was extinguished at 6:45 a.m. local time, says Rostov's acting governor

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Russia said on Thursday that Ukrainian forces overnight attacked an oil refinery in Novoshakhtinsk, in the country's southern Rostov region, resulting in a fire.

Acting Rostov Governor Yury Slyusar said on Telegram that the fire erupted at the oil refinery in the mining city of Novoshakhtinsk, just 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Russia’s border with Ukraine after drones and missiles attacked it.

Slyusar claimed that over three dozen drones and three missiles were used in the airstrike and that air defenses have been deployed to protect regional cities such as Rostov-on-Don.

“Unfortunately, one person was injured in a village near Rostov-on-Don due to the fall of drone fragments,” he said, adding that the person was given the necessary medical assistance.

The acting governor went on to say that the fire at the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery was extinguished at 6.45 a.m. local time (0345GMT).

In a separate statement, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that 36 Ukrainian drones were destroyed in the Rostov region overnight.

Ukrainian authorities have yet to comment on the attack on the oil refinery in Novoshakhtinsk.

Kaynak: