Ukrainian forces overnight on July 8 struck several Russian oil refineries, tankers, and a military airfield, independent media reported.
A drone attack caused a fire at an oil refinery in Saratov, according to Astra and the Ukrainian monitoring Telegram channel Exilenova+. Saratov Governor Roman Busargin said one person was killed and several were injured, and civilian infrastructure was damaged, without specifying which facilities. The Saratov refinery, owned by Rosneft, was previously attacked in May, The Insider noted.
Another strike targeted the industrial zone of Nizhnekamsk in Tatarstan, home to the Nizhnekamskneftekhim plant and the TAIF-NK oil refining complex. Eyewitness photos and videos showed a fire in the area. Tatarstan authorities confirmed the attack on the city but did not disclose the consequences. Nizhnekamsk Mayor Radmir Belyaev wrote on Telegram that “as a result of a massive drone attack on the Zakamsk region, individual enterprises in Nizhnekamsk sustained damage,” but “serious consequences were avoided.” The Insider noted these facilities were previously attacked on June 12.
In the Taganrog Bay, two tankers heading to Rostov-on-Don were damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack, Rostov Region Governor Yuri Slyusar said. According to him, the tankers were empty and no oil product spill occurred. Two people sustained minor injuries, and the crew was evacuated from one vessel.
A fire broke out at the Borisoglebsk military airfield in the Voronezh region, Astra reported. Local authorities confirmed an air raid warning was issued in the city.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said that overnight on July 8, air defense systems shot down 415 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions.
These refineries are among 16 oil processing plants that Ukraine has repeatedly struck this year, Agentstvo noted.