Kyiv, Oct 14 (V7N) – A powerful explosion and subsequent fire tore through the Ufa oil refinery in Russia’s Bashkortostan region early Saturday morning, following what Ukrainian intelligence sources described as a “precision long-range drone strike.” The refinery, located nearly 900 miles inside Russian territory, is one of the largest oil processing plants in the Volga-Ural region and a critical part of Russia’s domestic fuel network.

Local Russian media initially reported the blaze as an “industrial accident,” but later footage circulating on Telegram showed plumes of black smoke and emergency crews battling flames for hours. No casualties were officially confirmed, though unverified reports suggest several workers suffered burns and smoke inhalation.

Ukraine’s security service (SBU) has not publicly claimed responsibility, but a senior Ukrainian defense official told Reuters that the operation was “a strategic response to ongoing Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy systems.” The official added, “Every refinery that fuels Russia’s war machine will eventually feel the impact.”

This attack marks the third assault on the same refinery in a month, highlighting Kyiv’s increasingly deep strikes into Russian territory using long-range drones. Ukrainian engineers have reportedly upgraded drone technology to achieve a range of more than 1,000 kilometers, significantly expanding their operational reach.

The Ufa refinery produces over 12 million tons of oil annually and plays a key role in supplying jet fuel and diesel to Russia’s military logistics network. Its repeated targeting has led to temporary shutdowns and disruptions in regional fuel distribution.

Meanwhile, Russia has intensified retaliatory strikes across Ukraine, focusing heavily on the country’s power grids, gas plants, and substations. In recent days, missile and drone attacks have left large swaths of the Odesa, Kharkiv, and Dnipro regions without power. Ukrainian officials reported that 240,000 homes in Odesa and nearly 800,000 customers in the Kyiv metropolitan area are currently facing rolling blackouts.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy announced emergency plans to import 30 percent more gas from Europe to offset production losses. The government has secured roughly €800 million in loans from European energy firms and banks to bolster winter reserves.

Energy analysts warn that this escalating cycle of attacks on critical infrastructure may push both countries toward severe energy crises. “We are witnessing a new phase of the war—one that directly targets the lifelines of energy and economy,” said Andriy Kobolyev, former head of Naftogaz, Ukraine’s national oil company.

Russian authorities have vowed retaliation, claiming that drone attacks on domestic energy sites amount to “acts of terrorism.” However, Western intelligence analysts say Ukraine’s strikes are strategically aimed at crippling Moscow’s war financing, not civilian energy supplies.

As temperatures drop and winter nears, fears grow that millions across Eastern Europe could face blackouts, heating shortages, and further humanitarian strain.

Sources: Reuters, BBC, Ukrinform, TASS.

END/WD/SMA/