Fire Breaks Out Near Volgograd Refinery After Ukrainian Drone Attack

Numerous explosions were heard in Volgograd during the night of October 2, followed by a fire glow reported near the oil refinery and the KAUSTIK chemical plant.

ASTRA reported this after analyzing footage captured by eyewitnesses.

Local residents reported drones flying overhead and explosions in various parts of the city.

Based on an analysis of eyewitness footage, ASTRA determined that the glow from the fire was visible near the Volgograd Oil Refinery and the nearby KAUSTIK chemical plant. However, the available footage does not make it possible to determine which facility caught fire.

Volgograd Region Governor Andrey Bocharov confirmed a massive drone attack on the region’s industrial infrastructure. He did not report any fires at the facilities.

At around 1 a.m., Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency imposed flight restrictions at Volgograd Airport. As a result, flights between Volgograd and Moscow were delayed, and one aircraft was diverted to an alternate airport in Samara.

KAUSTIK & Volgograd Oil Refinery

The Volgograd Oil Refinery is part of PJSC Lukoil and is one of Russia’s largest oil refineries. It produces gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, fuel oil, and bitumen.

It has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian drones. In May 2025, the attacks damaged the ELOU-AVT-1 and ELOU-AVT-6 crude oil distillation units, as well as control cables for air coolers.

Following the strike on May 29, 2026, the facility halted operations. According to ASTRA, another attack on the night of July 31 caused a large fire, damaged production facilities, and forced the shutdown of the AVT-1 and AVT-6 units.

The KAUSTIK chemical plant, located near the Volgograd Oil Refinery, specializes in chlor-alkali production and the manufacture of basic chemicals.

According to OSINT-Varta, the facility produces hydrochloric acid, plastics, synthetic resins, and industrial gases. Its production process is based on salt electrolysis, which enables the production of chlorine and sodium compounds.

Products of this type can also be used in the defense industry, including to manufacture polymer components and protective coatings for military equipment.