Ukraines military intelligence claimed responsibility for a drone strike on an oil refinery in southern Russias Saratov region that eyewitnesses said sparked a blaze late Friday, according to media reports.A drone was eliminated over the territory of Saratov overnight.
Part of the debris fell in an industrial zone in the Zavodsky district, Saratov region Governor Roman Busarginsaid on Telegram.All necessary emergency services are working at the site.
There are no casualties, Busargin added.The Saratov region is located around 500 kilometers (310 miles) east from the border with UkraineBusargin did not identify the industrial zones location, but the local broadcaster Saratov 24reported that the debris fell on a fuel storage tank.Residentssaid the impact sparked a fire at a Rosneft oil refinery in Saratovs Zavodsky district, according to the independent news outlet Astra.
The refinery has a processing capacity of 7.2 million metric tons for more than 20 types of petroleum products, including unleaded gasoline, diesel fuel and fuel oil.Ukrainian media, citing anonymous military sources, reported later on Friday that the strike was part of a Ukrainian military intelligence operation.Russias Defense Ministrysaid it downed six out of 17 Ukrainian drones targeting the Saratov region overnight.After intensifying attacks on each others energy infrastructure early this year, both Russia and Ukraine have reported fewer such strikes in recent weeks.