Ukrainian drone strike reportedly sets Russian refinery ablaze in Samara region

Ukrainian forces staged a successful drone attack on the Russian city of Novokuybyshevsk in the Samara region overnight from Sunday to Monday, hitting a key refinery that supplies fuel to Russian military vehicles, according to Ukrainian and independent Russian sources.

Illustrative photo. A view of the Gazpromneft MNPZ Moscow Petroleum Refinery JSC in Moscow, Russia.

EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV

Widespread damage despite Russian denials

Images circulating on social media showed flames, smoke, and reports of explosions at the facility and surrounding areas, including Molodogvardeyskaya Street—allegedly home to one section of the refinery.

Novokuybyshevsk, a massive fire broke out after drones attack. A warehouse is also burning over an area of 1,500 sq. meters.
pic.twitter.com/y0cjK6p7ri

— Claretta Nijhuis (@NijhuisClaretta) March 10, 2025

The site of the impact covered about 1,500 square meters, and nearly 100 firefighters were dispatched, Russian emergency officials said.

Moscow, meanwhile, downplayed the incident. Regional Governor Vyacheslav Fyodorishchev claimed “no fires or destruction” occurred, while the Defense Ministry asserted that at least 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down across multiple regions.

Key military supplier

Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation confirmed the strike on the refinery, which Kyiv views as a critical supplier of fuel for Russian frontline operations.

The facility in Novokuybyshevsk is seen by Ukraine as a strategic target, given its role in the Russian military’s supply chain.

(jh)

Source: Polskie Radio 24, Ukrinform, Kyiv Independent, Bloomberg