Ukrainian long-range drones struck the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat refinery in Russia’s Bashkortostan region on Thursday, officials and media reported. 

Regional head Radiy Khabirov said two drones struck the facility, causing a fire. He confirmed that no casualties were reported. 

Videos circulated by Ukrainian outlets showed thick black smoke rising from the site.

Meanwhile in Russia’s Salavat.

1,300 km away from Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/CKsk1Ox8gD

— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) September 18, 2025

A source in Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) told the Kyiv Post that the strike targeted the ELOU-AVT-4 crude-processing unit, which produces gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and fuel oil. 

“SBU is systematically cutting off the flow of petrodollars [petroleum dollars] to Russia’s war budget. Every strike on a Russian refinery reduces the aggressor’s ability to wage war against Ukraine,” the source said. 

The Gazprom refinery, Russia’s 10th-largest with an annual capacity of 10 million metric tons, was previously attacked by Ukrainian drones in May. The plant makes more than 150 petroleum and chemical products.

According to Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, the strike coincided with a Ukrainian attack on the Volgograd refinery, which handles 15.7 million tons of oil annually.

Since August, Ukraine has targeted at least 10 Russian refineries. These attacks have disrupted production, and at one point, Russia had to reduce its oil refining capacity by almost 20%, according to Reuters.