Drone Attack on Volgograd: Targeting Oil Refinery and Regional Developments
On the night of August 13, the city of Volgograd, one of Russia’s largest cities in the southeastern part of the country, became the target of a drone attack.
According to local Telegram channels and other sources, the primary goal appeared to be one of the region’s key facilities — the Lukoil Volgograd Oil Refinery.
Russian authorities reported that some of the drones were shot down, with debris falling onto a residential building, raising serious concerns among residents.
Reports indicate that up to 20 drones headed towards Volgograd, with several intercepted over the region and the southern parts of the city.
The attack also led to the closure of Volgograd Airport due to active drone activity in the area.
Experts suggest that the intended target was likely this major petrochemical facility, which processes around 14 million tons of oil annually and ranks as the sixth-largest refinery in Russia.
The plant produces gasoline, diesel fuel, mazut, and aviation fuel.
Additionally, reports mention new drones spotted over Volgograd and its satellite city, Volzhsky.
Local authorities confirmed that fragments of a downed drone fell on the roof of a 16-story residential building in the Traktorozavodsky district, located about 30-40 kilometers from the refinery.
Residents reported air defense operations in the area.
Governor Andrey Bocharov stated that residents had been evacuated and that no casualties had been reported.
This is not the first attack on the Volgograd refinery; on January 31, Ukrainian drones previously targeted the facility, temporarily halting its operations.
Experts believe these repeated strikes indicate an escalation of hostilities in the region, emphasizing the strategic importance of such industrial sites amid ongoing conflict tensions.