(Bashkortostan) – Security guards at an oil refinery in Bashkortostan, Russia, mistakenly fired on a civilian aircraft during its flight on Wednesday night, local reports revealed on Thursday. The aircraft, an Antonov An-2 biplane commonly known as a “Kukuruznik,” was on a routine aerial photography mission when it was misidentified as a Ukrainian drone.
The plane, operated by the AkRusavia company, had proper clearance for its mission, flying between the regional capital, Ufa, and the industrial city of Salavat. It carried two pilots and a photographer, operating with visible navigation lights at an altitude of approximately 300 meters (980 feet). Despite these measures, security personnel at an oil refinery near Salavat opened fire, causing an air raid alarm to sound throughout the city.
Radik Muratov, head of Salavat’s Civil Services and Emergency Situations Department, confirmed the alarm triggered a flood of emergency hotline calls from concerned residents. Many mistook the low-flying plane for a drone, leading to widespread panic. Muratov clarified that the flight had been pre-approved and that the plane landed safely at Ufa Airport following the incident. However, he declined to comment on the gunfire.
Upon inspection, the crew found no damage or fuel leaks. After reporting the incident to flight dispatchers, the aircraft returned to Ufa without further complications. Meanwhile, Rosaviatsiya, Russia’s air transportation authority, has initiated an investigation into the matter, as confirmed by Kommersant, a prominent business newspaper.
This incident follows an earlier attack in May, where the same oil refinery in Salavat was targeted by drones. It was the first recorded drone strike in Bashkortostan, located about 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) from Ukraine’s border. The previous attack has evidently heightened tensions, leading to an overreaction from refinery guards during Wednesday’s routine flight.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Date and Location | Wednesday night, near Salavat in Bashkortostan, Russia |
| Aircraft Involved | Antonov An-2 biplane (civilian, aerial photography mission) |
| Incident | Fired upon by refinery security guards; mistaken for a drone |
| Flight Status | Pre-approved flight plan, navigation lights active |
| Outcome | Landed safely at Ufa Airport; no damage or injuries reported |
| Investigation | Conducted by Russia’s air transportation authority, Rosaviatsiya |
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