Drone Strike Sparks Fire at Bashneft-Novoil Refinery in Ufa

A drone attack on the Bashneft-Novoil refinery in Ufa, Russia, caused a fire at its key catalytic reforming unit L-35 on Saturday, October 31, according to OSINT analysis of eyewitness photos reported by ASTRA. The L-35 unit is critical for producing high-octane gasoline components and hydrogen needed for fuel purification, meaning the plant cannot produce modern eco-friendly fuels without it. Local residents reported that two refineries in the city were attacked. The Bashneft-Novoil plant is a key part of Ufa's refining complex, producing Euro-6 gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, and industrial oils. This follows a similar drone attack on a refinery in Novokuibyshevsk on October 30, though Ukraine's General Staff has not confirmed involvement.