**Russia’s Oil Refinery Hit by Drone Strike**
A drone strike targeted the Saratov oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov Oblast on February 11. The attack was confirmed by Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation.
The Saratov Oil Refinery is a key facility that supplies fuel to the Russian military. It has a refining capacity of 7 million tons of oil per year. This makes it an important target for Ukraine, which is trying to disrupt Russia’s ability to supply its military.
Ukraine has been stepping up its long-range drone strikes against Russian targets in recent weeks. The goal is to hit oil facilities that are crucial for supplying the Russian military and funding Moscow’s war efforts.
**No Victims Reported**
The governor of Saratov Oblast, Roman Busargin, confirmed that drones struck an industrial facility in the region. However, he did not specify whether it was the oil refinery. According to preliminary reports, there were no victims.
**Multiple Reports of Explosions and Fire**
Russian Telegram channels reported explosions and a fire at the facility after the drone strike. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its air defenses shot down 40 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 18 over Saratov Oblast. However, these claims could not be verified by The Kyiv Independent.
**Strategic Location**
Saratov is a city located nearly 1,500 kilometers from Ukraine’s border. It hosts multiple strategic military and industrial sites, making it an important target for Ukraine.
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