Overnight on 11 November 2025, Ukrainian drones struck the Rosneft oil refinery in Saratov, situated in Russia's Volga region about 600 km from the war zone in Ukraine, according to reports by Ukrainian Telegram channels. The attack caused explosions and a large fire, footage from the scene shows. The Ukrainian Army's General Staff confirmed the attack on the refinery. Russian authorities reported damage to civilian infrastructureand claimed that one resident was allegedly injured.

The Saratov oil refinery is among the largest and oldest in Russia. As of 2024, it processed around 5.8 million tons of oil annually — about 2.2% of Russia's total refining capacity.

Ukrainian drones strike Rosneft refinery in Saratov overnight

In the early hours of 11 November, drones targeted the Rosneft-owned oil refinery in the Zavodskoi district of Saratov, Russia. The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed the strike, citing the goal of reducing Russia's military-economic potential. The refinery is a key supplier of fuel products used by the Russian army, producing over 20 types of oil derivatives, including diesel and gasoline.

Witnesses in Saratov reported multiple explosions and flashes over the southwestern part of the city just after 1 a.m., followed by widespread sirens. Ukrainian Telegram channels Exilenova+ and Ukraine Context shared videos showing distant explosions and a large glow on the horizon.

Later footage revealed a massive blaze at the refinery site.

Russian authorities acknowledged the attack. Saratov Oblast governor Roman Busargin reported that "civilian infrastructure objects" were damaged and claimed that one woman was injured, though she did not require hospitalization. Windows were reportedly shattered in several homes in the Zavodskoi district.

The Russian Telegram channel Astra confirmed the refinery was the target after OSINT analysis of videos from the scene. Astra noted that this was at least the seventh drone strike on the Saratov refinery since the beginning of 2025. It could be the eighth attack, per the Militarnyi data.

The facility had also been last hit overnight on 2 to 3 November.

Saratov airport briefly suspended operations during the overnight attack. As of Astra’s latest update, the emergency response plan Kovyor was reactivated in the city.

Coordinated Ukrainian drone assault hits multiple targets

In addition to the Saratov refinery, Ukrainian forces also struck the Marine Oil Terminal in occupied Feodosia, Crimea, and Russian positions in the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast. According to the General Staff, drone strikes reached storage depots and personnel concentrations near Donetsk and the area of Ocheretyne. In Feodosia, they reported direct hits on storage tanks at the marine terminal — a critical hub for shipping fuel to Crimea and southern occupied territories.

The Ukrainian military emphasized that all these actions are part of a broader effort to disrupt Russian logistics and force Moscow to halt its war of aggression.

Russia claims drone interceptions, but fails to prevent refinery hit

Later on 11 November, Russia’s Defense Ministry alleged that 37 Ukrainian drones had been spotted over Russian territory overnight, claiming that eight were intercepted over Saratov Oblast.