A Ukrainian drone attack has forced the Orenburg gas processing plant, the world’s largest of its kind, to suspend gas intake from Kazakhstan, marking a significant escalation in Ukraine’s campaign against Russian energy infrastructure.
The strike, confirmed by Ukraine’s General Staff, also targeted an oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region.
No casualties were reported in either incident.
The Orenburg plant, operated by Gazprom, processes 45 billion cubic meters of gas annually, handling condensate from both the Orenburg oil and gas field and Kazakhstan’s Karachaganak field.
Orenburg Governor Yevgeny Solntsev reported that the attack caused a fire at a workshop, partially damaging the facility.
The fire was extinguished, but Kazakhstan’s energy ministry noted that Gazprom provided no timeline for resuming full operations.
Russian media reported that air restrictions were briefly imposed but later lifted.
Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian energy facilities since August, aiming to disrupt fuel supplies and reduce Moscow’s revenue.
The Orenburg strike is the first reported attack on this critical gas complex, located 1,200 kilometers from the Ukraine front line.
Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that its air defenses downed 45 Ukrainian drones overnight, including one over Orenburg and 12 over Samara.
In Samara, Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev reported temporary suspensions of airport operations and mobile internet services due to the drone activity.
Ukraine’s General Staff also claimed a strike on the Novokuibyshevsk oil refinery in Samara, though Russian authorities did not confirm damage to this facility.
The ongoing tit-for-tat strikes highlight the strategic importance of energy infrastructure as winter approaches, with both nations accusing each other of targeting critical facilities.