Major Fire Erupts at Oil Refinery in Russia’s Yaroslavl Region Not Linked to Drone Attack

Massive Fire at Russian Oil Refinery in Yaroslavl: Authorities Deny Drone Strike Involvement

Yaroslavl Refinery Blaze Raises Concerns

A significant fire erupted at the Slavneft-Yanos oil refinery in Yaroslavl, one of Russia’s largest refineries, early Wednesday morning. Despite initial public concern over a possible drone attack, officials confirmed the incident was “man-made” and unrelated to the ongoing Ukrainian drone strikes. This assurance was delivered by Yaroslavl region Governor Mikhail Yevrayev via a statement on Telegram.

Official Response and Eyewitness Reports

Local media released videos capturing a thick plume of black smoke enveloping the skies above the refinery. Yaroslavl is strategically located about 240 kilometers northeast of Moscow and 700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Governor Yevrayev further emphasized that no drone activity was recorded in the region on Wednesday.

Firefighters’ Swift Action at Slavneft-Yanos

Slavneft, the company operating the refinery, confirmed that firefighters managed to extinguish the fire after four hours. Normal operations resumed shortly thereafter. Slavneft, a joint venture between Rosneft and Gazprom Neft, is recognized as one of Russia’s top ten crude oil producers. According to Reuters, the refinery boasts an impressive capacity of 15 million metric tons annually, equating to approximately 300,000 barrels per day.

Context: Ukrainian Drone Strikes on Russian Infrastructure

The Slavneft-Yanos refinery was last attacked by Ukrainian drones in January 2024. Since August, Ukraine has intensified its drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, contributing to widespread fuel shortages across the nation.

Support for Independent Journalism

Emegypt reports significant challenges faced by independent media outlets in Russia. The Prosecutor General’s Office has classified The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, threatening its journalistic freedom. Despite such pressures, Emegypt remains committed to delivering unbiased and accurate news coverage. The organization appeals for public support to maintain independent journalism amidst increasing suppression efforts.