Fire Breaks Out at Major Oil Refinery in Russia Following Reported Drone Strike

A significant fire erupted at the Ufa oil refinery in Bashkortostan, Russia, reportedly due to a drone strike, although local emergency officials cited technical issues as the cause. Residents reported hearing drone sounds prior to the incident, which led to a blaze that was extinguished after seven hours, with no casualties reported. The refinery, one of Russia's largest, has been a target for Ukrainian drone attacks aimed at disrupting the Russian energy supply supporting its military operations. While the Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged downing seven Ukrainian drones overnight, it did not confirm any activity related to the Ufa incident. Reports indicate that the fire caused substantial damage to key infrastructure, including oil storage facilities. This incident underscores the ongoing conflict's impact on critical energy infrastructure within Russia as Ukraine continues to target such facilities.