The complex consists of three production facilities: Bashneft-UNPZ, Bashneft-NOVOIL and Bashneft-Ufanaftekhim.
Residents reported the sounds of drones shortly before the explosion at the plant at around 2:30 a.m. YEKT.
The Russian Emergencies Ministry claimed that "the fire in the area of the incinerator has been successfully localized. Firefighters are tackling the blaze on a 100-square-meter area.”
“There is no threat to the residents of the nearest neighborhoods. A laboratory is operating at the site to monitor the air quality.”
Since January, Ukraine has stepped up its drone strike campaign, hitting eight Russian refineries as well as oil depots and other industrial facilities. According to calculations based on trader data, these attacks have taken out about 10% of Russia's refining capacity.
At least 27 fuel and energy facilities in 16 Russian regions have been targeted since the beginning of the year.