Drone Strike Ignites Blaze at Russian Oil Refinery

A fire erupted at an industrial site in the southern Russian city of Novoshakhtinsk after a drone strike, officials reported on Thursday. The city, known for its oil refinery, witnessed the incident as part of a series of Ukrainian attacks targeting Russia's energy infrastructure.

Yury Slyusar, acting governor of the Rostov region, confirmed the incident, stating that no casualties were reported. Emergency services are currently on the scene. The attacked site was not specifically identified. The development marks an escalation in Ukraine's strategic assault on energy sites.

The Novoshakhtinsk refinery, a crucial point in Russia's fuel export chain, processes approximately 5 million metric tons of oil annually, equating to about 100,000 barrels per day. Since August, the Ukraine conflict has extended to include several Russian oil facilities, emphasizing the strategic stakes involved.

(With inputs from agencies.)