Oil Refineries Ablaze in Saratov and Nizhnekamsk After Drone Strikes

Ukrainian strike drones hit a Russian oil refinery in Saratov and a petrochemical plant in Nizhnekamsk.

According to the Exilenova+ Telegram channel, which published photos and videos from the scene, large fires broke out at both facilities following the strikes.

At around 3 a.m. on July 8, monitoring groups began reporting explosions and a drone attack on the Saratov oil refinery.

Previously, the regional governor said that the Russian military had reported a threat of a drone attack.

Later, restrictions were imposed at the local airport on flight arrivals and departures.

PJSC Saratov oil refinery, a Rosneft subsidiary, is one of Russia’s oldest oil refineries and a strategically important facility in the country’s oil refining industry.

The oil refinery has an annual processing capacity of 7.0 million metric tons of crude oil (about 50.7 million barrels), although in recent years it has not been operating at full capacity. It primarily processes Urals crude oil supplied from the Saratov and Orenburg oil fields.

The facility produces more than 20 types of petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel fuel, fuel oil, bitumen, and vacuum gas oil. A significant share of its output is supplied to the Russian military and to Engels air base, home to strategic bomber aircraft that have repeatedly been used to launch missile strikes against Ukraine.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim petrochemical plant

Earlier that morning, Nizhnekamskneftekhim, a major petrochemical facility in Nizhnekamsk, Tatarstan, was also struck. Smoke from the resulting fire was visible from neighboring towns and villages.

The facility is one of the largest petrochemical plants in Russia and Europe, specializing in the production of synthetic rubber, basic polymers, and other organic chemical products.

The plant is part of the SIBUR holding company and is one of the industry’s leading producers. It is a key component of Russia’s petrochemical infrastructure and a major export hub for petrochemical products destined for global markets. Ukrainian drone strikes have previously targeted Nizhnekamskneftekhim.