Drone attacks on Russia: oil refinery ablaze, five airports closed and power cuts reported in Kazan – videos

Drones attacked several Russian sites on the night of 16-17 February, including the Ilsky oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai, where a large-scale fire broke out.

Source: Operational Headquarters of Krasnodar Krai; Russian Telegram channels; monitoring channels

Details: According to Telegram channels linked to Russian security services, Krasnodar Krai had been under attack by Liutyi drones since the evening. Russian propagandists claimed that air defence systems had downed more than 20 drones over the region.

Local residents reported hearing more than 10 explosions near the village of Ilsky, after which a large-scale fire broke out at the local refinery.

Update: The Operational Headquarters of Krasnodar Krai confirmed the attack on the refinery in the morning.

"A fire broke out at the Ilsky oil refinery as a result of the UAV attack. There were no casualties. A tank containing petroleum products was damaged. The total area of the fire is about 700 sq m," the statement said.

It was noted that 72 firefighters, 21 fire appliances and a fire train had been involved in tackling the blaze.

Airports in Krasnodar, Sochi and Gelendzhik suspended operations for at least four hours because of the aerial threat. An air-raid warning was also issued in Novorossiysk and Slavyansk-on-Kuban.

Meanwhile, drones attacked the Republic of Tatarstan. Explosions were heard on the outskirts of Kazan and in Nizhnekamsk at around 03:00. Eyewitnesses reported bright flashes in the sky and the sound of blasts, after which electricity supply was cut in one district of Kazan.

Airports in Kazan and Nizhnekamsk also temporarily suspended arrivals and departures.

There has been no official information about the consequences of the strikes in Tatarstan.

For reference: The Ilsky Oil Refinery (KNGK-INPZ LLC) is one of the key oil processing facilities in Russia's Southern Federal District. It has a capacity of more than six million tonnes of oil per year. The refinery produces diesel fuel, petrol and fuel oil, which, due to its proximity to Black Sea ports, are actively used to support logistics for Russian forces in Ukraine.

Background: The Ilsky refinery has been repeatedly targeted, leading to temporary shutdowns of its operations.

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