Night explosions in Russian Saratov: drones attacked oil refinery, hits on several units recorded

Night explosions in Russian Saratov: drones attacked oil refinery, hits on several units recorded

Explosions were heard in the Russian city of Saratov on May 31. The city was attacked by drones, and a fire broke out in the area of the local oil refinery.

Damage at the plant was recorded in several locations at once. Details, as well as photos and videos from the scene, were compiled in the Exilenova+ Telegram channel.

Saratov Oil Refinery attacked

Information about the drone attack on Saratov became known overnight.

"Saratov, reports of a drone attack, explosions heard in the city," noted Exilenova+, publishing a short video showing the fire.

Soon after, Exilenova+ clarified: the fire broke out at the local oil refinery.

"Ukrainian forces attacked the Saratov oil refinery. Footage shared by residents shows a fire at the facility. Preliminary reports indicate the fire may have started near the isomerization unit. POV: 51.49383423473482, 45.942469558755285," noted the OSINT community world.militares.

Judging by footage taken by eyewitnesses, there were more than two sources of fire on the refinery grounds.

According to analysis by Falcon Insight, strikes hit several areas of the refinery simultaneously. Researchers recorded hits on:

• Catalytic reforming unit LCh-35-11/600 51°27′30.00"N 45°56′15.13"E 
• ELOU-AVT-6 unit 51°27′24.38"N 45°56′12.93"E 
• Visbreaking unit 51°27′21.08"N 45°56′12.39"E 
• Catalytic reforming unit L-35-11/300 51°27′30.59"N 45°56′26.31"E 
• Pentane-hexane fraction isomerization unit 51°27′24.57"N 45°56′26.47"E

"The unit that likely suffered the most severe (critical) damage is the ELOU-AVT-6," the report stated.

What is known about the Saratov Oil Refinery

The Saratov Oil Refinery (controlled by Rosneft) is one of the oldest oil refining enterprises in the Russian Federation. As of 2023, its oil processing volume was 4.8 million tons, with a total capacity of about 5.8 million tons of oil per year.

The enterprise produces more than 20 types of products, including unleaded gasoline, diesel fuel, fuel oil of all main grades, bitumen, vacuum gas oil, and technical sulfur.

The Saratov Oil Refinery is involved in meeting the needs of the Russian Armed Forces: it is one of the main suppliers of fuels and lubricants for the Russian army. Diesel fuel and gasoline from this plant go directly to the needs of armored vehicles and logistics transport.

The Saratov Oil Refinery has been repeatedly visited by Ukrainian drones.

For example, on August 10, 2025, as a result of a drone attack, significant damage was inflicted on the technical structures of the "ELOU-AVT-6" unit, as well as on the pipeline connecting the plant’s units. 

It was also struck on September 16 and 20, October 16, November 3, 11, 14 and 28, December 12, 2025, and March 12, 2026.