Ukrainian drone strike halts Novoshakhtinsky refinery in Russia's Rostov region

A Ukrainian drone attack has forced the temporary shutdown of the Novoshakhtinsky oil refinery in Russia's Rostov region, according to Reuters, citing Governor Yuri Slyusar. The facility sustained damage during the overnight strike. The refinery, which processes about 100,000 barrels of oil per day (roughly 5 million tons annually), primarily produces for export. Russian authorities reported destroying approximately 50 drones over the region during the attack. This incident follows explosions in Ulyanovsk and Perm on the night of September 25, which also targeted a plant and refinery. In December 2024, the same Novoshakhtinsky facility halted both primary oil processing units after a previous Ukrainian drone strike.