Ukrainian forces struck the Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka refinery in Volgograd and a production facility in Rostov-on-Don in an overnight drone attack on Nov. 13.
The attacks came a day after trilateral peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi and continue Ukraine's campaign to disrupt infrastructure powering the Russian military and curb Moscow's energy revenues.
The Volgograd refinery, one of Russia's largest, has an annual crude oil processing capacity of 15 million metric tons. Ukrainian monitoring channels Exilenova+ and Supernova+ reported flames and explosions at the site. Eyewitness footage appeared to show flames lighting up the night sky and sounds of air defence systems. Videos also showed Volgograd residents lining up at petrol stations after the attack, amid Russian gas restrictions due to Ukrainian energy attacks.
Volgograd Governor Andrey Bocharov confirmed a "massive" attack on the city and fires in the southern industrial zone. In Rostov-on-Don, Governor Yury Slyusar said fires were burning at a production facility and a warehouse following Ukrainian strikes, and debris from downed drones damaged a residential building.
Overnight, Russian officials said dozens of Ukrainian drones attacked Moscow, disrupting flight operations at several of the region's major airports.
The Nov. 13 attack follows a Ukrainian strike on the same Volgograd refinery on Oct. 2. On Nov. 8, a Ukrainian drone struck Rostov-on-Don, damaging a bridge and energy facilities. On Nov. 11, Ukraine's Special Operations Forces confirmed a strike on Russia's Omsk oil refinery, the country's largest.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The strike highlights Ukraine's continued ability to hit deep inside Russian territory despite air defences.
- Targeting oil refineries aims to reduce fuel for Russia's military and cut export revenue, potentially affecting the war's economic calculus.
- The timing suggests military pressure remains a priority even as diplomatic channels are active.
Background
Ukraine has waged a systematic campaign of drone strikes against Russian energy infrastructure since early in the war, seeking to disrupt supplies to the Russian military and reduce oil export income. The Volgograd refinery, owned by Lukoil, is one of the largest in Russia and has been repeatedly targeted. The latest strikes add to a series of attacks on refineries and fuel depots across western Russia.
What to Watch
- Russian retaliation, including possible strikes on Ukrainian energy grid.
- Whether the escalation affects the peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi.
- Capacity of Russia to repair damaged refineries and maintain fuel supplies.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedUkrainian drones struck the Volgograd refinery and a facility in Rostov-on-Don.Kyiv Independent: “Ukrainian forces struck a major oil refinery in the Russian city of Volgograd and a production facility in Rostov-on-Don in an overnight drone attack on Nov. 13.”
- SupportedGovernors confirmed overnight attacks on Russian facilities.Kyiv Independent: “Andrey Bocharov, Volgograd 's regional governor, confirmed a "massive" attack on Volgograd and fires in the southern industrial zone of the city. [...] Rostov Oblast Governor Yury Slyusar confirmed a Ukrainian attack on the city of Rostov-on-Don.”
- SupportedThe attacks on the named facilities happened in an overnight drone attack on Nov. 13.Kyiv Independent: “Ukrainian forces struck a major oil refinery in the Russian city of Volgograd and a production facility in Rostov-on-Don in an overnight drone attack on Nov. 13.”
- SupportedThe attacks came a day after trilateral peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi.Kyiv Independent: “The attack, which came a day after trilateral peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi, continues Ukraine's campaign to disrupt infrastructure powering the Russian military and curb Moscow's energy revenues.”
- SupportedThe attacks continue Ukraine's campaign to disrupt infrastructure powering the Russian military and curb Moscow's energy revenues.Kyiv Independent: “The attack, which came a day after trilateral peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi, continues Ukraine's campaign to disrupt infrastructure powering the Russian military and curb Moscow's energy revenues.”
- SupportedThe Volgograd refinery has an annual crude oil processing capacity of 15 million metric tons.Kyiv Independent: “one of Russia's largest oil refineries , with an annual crude oil processing capacity of 15 million metric tons.”
- SupportedExilenova+ and Supernova+ reported flames and explosions at the Volgograd refinery.Kyiv Independent: “Ukrainian monitoring channels Exilenova+ and Supernova+ reported flames and explosions at the Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka refinery”
- SupportedEyewitness footage appeared to show flames lighting the night sky and sounds of air defence systems.Kyiv Independent: “Eyewitness footage from the scene appears to show flames emanating from the refinery lighting up the night sky and the sounds of active Russian air defense systems.”
- SupportedBocharov confirmed a “massive” attack on Volgograd and fires in its southern industrial zone.Kyiv Independent: “Andrey Bocharov, Volgograd 's regional governor, confirmed a "massive" attack on Volgograd and fires in the southern industrial zone of the city.”
- SupportedSlyusar said fires were burning at a production facility and a warehouse following Ukrainian strikes.Kyiv Independent: “According to Slyusar, fires were burning at a production facility and warehouse following Ukrainian strikes.”
- SupportedDebris from downed drones damaged a residential building in Rostov-on-Don.Kyiv Independent: “Debris from downed drones also damaged a residential building.”
- SupportedRussian officials said dozens of Ukrainian drones attacked Moscow overnight, disrupting flight operations at several major regional airports.Kyiv Independent: “The attacks came shortly after dozens of Ukrainian drones also attacked Moscow overnight on Nov. 12-13, disrupting flight operations at several of the region's major airports, according to Russian officials.”