Drone attack on Russia's Perm oil refinery sparks fire PHOTO/VIDEO/UPDATED

A fire broke out near an oil refinery in Russia’s Perm region following a reported drone attack, as authorities issued a drone threat alert and temporarily suspended flights at the region’s main airport.

The Perm Krai Ministry of Territorial Security said the region was responding to a drone attack and urged residents not to approach any debris from downed drones or publish footage of air defence operations online, Caliber.Az reports.

Bolshoye Savino Airport suspended aircraft arrivals and departures as a precaution, according to regional authorities.

Ukrainian monitoring channels reported that strikes targeted facilities within the Perm oil refinery, operated by Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez. 

09:27

One of Russia’s largest oil refineries, Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez, was reportedly attacked in the city of Perm, according to Exilenova+.

The refinery is one of Lukoil’s key assets and has a designed crude oil processing capacity of 13.1 million metric tons per year.

Further details about the reported attack, including the nature of the incident and any potential damage or casualties, were not immediately provided.

By Sabina Mammadli