On the night of Tuesday, July 14, one of Russia's key industrial hubs, the 'Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat' oil refining complex in Bashkortostan, became the target of a massive attack by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles. As a result of the strike, production at the plant was completely halted, and critical equipment sustained serious damage.

Complete shutdown of capacities

According to sources, Ukrainian drones delivered precision strikes on both primary crude oil processing units. This led to their emergency shutdown and destruction. Additionally, during the attack, several secondary processing units and other critical equipment of the complex were damaged.

Experts assess the scale of destruction as significant. It is expected that repair work and the restoration of production capacities may take from several weeks to several months. During this period, the plant will not be able to function in normal mode.

Significance of the facility for the Russian economy

The 'Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat' complex is one of the largest industrial enterprises in Russia. The enterprise specializes in the production of a wide range of products necessary for the economy and the army:

  • Automotive gasoline and diesel fuel;
  • Aviation fuel;
  • Liquefied gas;
  • Chemical products: butyl alcohol, ammonia, polyethylene, and polystyrene.

According to industry experts, in 2024 the plant processed 7.2 million tons of raw materials. This accounts for approximately 2.7% of the total volume of all oil refining in the country, making its shutdown a noticeable blow to the energy sector.

Logistics and organization of the strike

Ukrainian special forces reported details of the operation. To reach the target, the drones covered a distance of about 1,500 kilometers. 'Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat' was the last major Russian gasoline producer that had not been subjected to attacks in the current year.

Ukrainian military paid special attention to the role of internal resistance. According to their data, the underground insurgent movement 'Black Spark', operating directly on the territory of Russia, was involved in the operation to prepare and carry out the strike.