A massive fire has engulfed the Saratov Oil Refinery, one of Russia’s oldest and most prestigious oil processing facilities, following a suspected drone attack. Once hailed as the crown jewel of Rosneft’s operations, this facility’s flames mark another setback for Russia’s industrial and energy infrastructure.
Russian media confirmed the incident at the Saratov refinery, commonly known by its historic name, the Kreking plant. It processes Urals crude and oil from the Saratov field via pipeline, as well as resources transported from the Orenburg fields by rail and water. In 2020, the refinery was ranked first in Rosneft’s integrated rating for operational excellence.
The refinery fire comes amid heightened tensions and reports of widespread drone activity targeting Russian territory. Airports in Kazan, Kaluga, Saratov, Tambov, Penza, Nizhnekamsk, and Ulyanovsk have imposed restrictions due to what officials describe as “hundreds of drone threats.”
Additional reports from Almetyevsk in Tatarstan detail explosions and evacuations at a separate oil production facility, further straining Russia’s critical energy sector.
Incident Summary:
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| January 14, 2025 | Drone strike on Saratov refinery | Massive fire broke out; refinery processes Urals crude and Orenburg oils. |
| Ongoing | Airport restrictions in 7 regions | Measures imposed in Kazan, Saratov, Kaluga, and other areas. |
| Earlier | Explosions in Tatarstan (Almetyevsk) | Evacuation at another oil production site due to suspected drone attack. |
