ASTRA: Lukoil refinery in central Russia catches fire after Ukrainian drone strike VIDEO/PHOTO

A major fire broke out overnight at the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez oil refinery in Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod region, following what Russian media described as a drone attack by Ukrainian forces.

According to the independent outlet ASTRA, the blaze erupted in the industrial zone near two major facilities — the Lukoil refinery and the Sibur-Kstovo petrochemical plant. Both enterprises are located close to each other in the southeastern part of the city’s industrial area.

Residents of Kstovo reported hearing explosions in the early hours of November 4 and shared videos showing a large glow in the sky and flames rising above the site. OSINT analysts from ASTRA said the footage was filmed from the nearby village of Novolikeevo.

The Sibur-Kstovo plant, according to its website, produces ethylene, propylene, benzene and various hydrocarbon fractions. Ukrainian media have previously claimed the facility manufactures components that can be used in explosives.

Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez is one of Russia’s key oil refineries, supplying a significant portion of fuel to the Moscow region, which accounts for around 30% of the country’s petrol consumption.

The refinery has an annual processing capacity of about 17 million tonnes and produces more than 50 types of petroleum products, including automotive, aviation and diesel fuels, as well as bitumen and paraffin.

Earlier, an explosion at a petrochemical plant in Sterlitamak, in Russia’s Bashkortostan region, caused structural damage to the facility but resulted in no casualties, according to local authorities.

Sterlitamak’s mayor later confirmed that the blast had occurred in the plant’s water treatment unit, leading to a partial collapse of the building. “No one was injured. The cause of the explosion is under investigation,” he said.

Analysis indicated that at least two explosions took place — at 6:22 a.m. and 7:09 a.m. local time. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev