Large-scale fire breaks out at Ryazan refinery after nighttime drone attack
On the night of May 15, the russian city of Ryazan came under a massive drone attack, which sparked a large-scale fire at a local oil refinery. This has been reported by monitoring channels and eyewitnesses.
Explosions began around 2 a.m., and residents reported hearing between 8 and 10 powerful strikes in various parts of the city. Numerous videos circulating online show bright flashes in the sky, the sounds of drones flying overhead, and the activation of air defense systems, which were unable to prevent the strikes.
The Ryazan Oil Refinery, one of the largest facilities in the industry in russia, was hit. According to available information, the plant’s design capacity exceeds 17 million tons of oil per year, accounting for about 5% of the aggressor country’s total oil refining capacity. Following a series of explosions, a column of thick smoke rose above the plant’s grounds, and the fire engulfed a significant portion of the production facilities.
Local residents continue to report heavy smoke spreading throughout the city. Currently, there is no official information on the extent of damage to the processing equipment, but the scale of the fire indicates serious consequences for the plant’s operations.
While repelling the air raid, russian air defense, likely the "Pantsir" air defense system, struck a residential high-rise in Ryazan, resulting in civilian casualties. The moment of the strike on the building and the aftermath were captured on video.
The Ryazan Oil Refinery is a strategic facility, as it supplies a significant portion of fuel for the domestic market and the russian military; therefore, its shutdown could significantly impact the occupiers’ logistical capabilities.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, as a result of Ukrainian strikes on russian oil refineries in April, oil refining in russia fell to 2009 levels.
We also reported that in April, five russian refineries—Syzran, Novokuybyshevsk, Tuapse, Kstovo, and Perm—suspended operations due to UAV strikes.