ASTRA: Ukraine strikes Russia's Saratov oil refinery, fire reported PHOTO / VIDEO

A fire broke out at Russia's Saratov oil refinery after what Ukrainian sources described as a drone strike overnight, according to OSINT analysis by ASTRA and eyewitness footage published on July 8.

Thus, the industrial facility had been hit after videos circulating online showed flames and smoke rising from the refinery.

Saratov Region Governor Roman Busargin did not confirm a strike on the refinery but said the region was under a drone threat.

"The Ministry of Defence has informed us of a UAV threat. Warning systems may be activated locally in areas considered to be at risk," Busargin wrote on Telegram.

The extent of the damage and any casualties were not immediately clear. Russian authorities had not officially acknowledged a hit on the refinery at the time of publication.

The Saratov refinery, owned by Rosneft, is one of Russia's oldest oil-processing facilities. According to company data, it processed around 4.8 million tonnes of crude oil in 2023.

By Aghakazim Guliyev