Drone Strike Hits Russian Oil Giant in Orsk, 1,400km From the Front Lines

A drone strike has reportedly targeted the Orsk Oil Refinery (Orsknefteorgsintez) in Russia’s Orenburg region, located approximately 1,400–1,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

The attack occurred on November 11 and targeted a major oil refinery in Russia’s Orenburg region, several hundred kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

According to Telegram channel Exilenova+, multiple explosions and heavy smoke were observed at the refinery site. Eyewitnesses began posting footage of the incident after 12:00. Exilenova+ also shared visual evidence showing fire and black smoke rising from the industrial facility.

The refinery, one of Russia’s largest, is operated by Orsknefteorgsintez, a subsidiary of JSC ForteInvest, part of the Safmar industrial group.

It has a processing capacity of 6.6 million tons of crude oil annually and features a wide range of equipment, including four primary crude distillation units, two catalytic reforming units, and installations for hydrotreating kerosene and diesel fuel.

The facility produces around 30 petroleum-based products such as gasoline, diesel, lubricants, jet fuel, bitumen, and fuel oil.

Local reports suggest the strike may have impacted the AVT unit—responsible for the initial distillation of crude oil into various fractions. This component is essential to the refinery’s operations and is considered one of its most critical technical installations.

Earlier on November 11, Ukrainian drones struck multiple Russian targets, including the Morskoy Oil Terminal in occupied Feodosia, a military warehouse in Donetsk, and troop positions near Ocheretyne, according to Ukraine’s General Staff. Kyiv also confirmed a separate overnight strike on the Saratov Oil Refinery, one of Russia’s key fuel production sites.

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