Twin Drone Attacks Hit Russia’s Key Infrastructure—Lukoil’s Stavrolen and Starobesheve TPP Targeted

Drones struck deep into Russian and occupied Ukrainian territory overnight, targeting a major petrochemical facility in Russia’s Stavropol region and a key thermal power station in occupied Donetsk, causing large fires and disruption to energy infrastructure, according to evidence published by Exilenova+ on November 12.

Residents in the Russian city of Budennovsk reported explosions followed by a massive blaze at the Stavrolen petrochemical plant, one of Russia’s largest producers of polyethylene and other industrial chemicals. The facility, operated by Lukoil, occupies a central role in the Russian petrochemical supply chain and was previously struck by Ukrainian drones in late October.

Local governor Vladimir Vladimirov confirmed that “a fire broke out in an industrial area” after Russian air defenses allegedly intercepted several drones, without specifying the affected site. “Fire crews and emergency services are working at the scene,” he wrote on Telegram.

Footage circulating online showed flames engulfing parts of the industrial zone overnight. The Stavrolen plant, capable of processing up to 2.2 billion cubic meters of gas annually, produces polyethylene, polypropylene, benzene, and vinyl acetate used in both civilian and military industries.

Analysts note that such facilities are indirectly linked to Russia’s war effort, as their polymers and insulation materials are used in drone components, missile wiring, and electronic warfare systems.

Hours later, Ukrainian Defense Forces reportedly hit the Starobesheve Thermal Power Plant in the settlement of Novi Svit, in the Russian-occupied part of the Donetsk region. Video released by Exilenova+ captured the moment of impact, with secondary explosions visible from nearby residential areas.

The Starobesheve TPP, with a capacity of around 2,300 MW, is one of the largest energy facilities in occupied Donetsk and a key supplier of electricity to Russian military installations and occupied cities. The attack was later confirmed by Petro Andriushchenko, head of the Center for the Study of Occupation, who remarked that the facility had “gone offline.”

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

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