Fire breaks out at Russia's Syzran oil refinery after drone attack

That is according to the Telegram channel Astra, Ukrinform reports.

Samara Region Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev warned residents overnight about a "drone threat" and, at around 04:30, announced the closure of the region's airspace at all altitudes and the introduction of the "Kovyor" emergency aviation protocol.

After analyzing videos posted by eyewitnesses, Astra confirmed that the drone strike had sparked a fire at the refinery in the city of Syzran in Russia's Samara region.

Black smoke was seen rising above the industrial area.

Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, also confirmed the fire at the Syzran refinery.

JSC Syzran Oil Refinery is one of the largest oil-processing enterprises in the Samara region and is part of PJSC Rosneft. The plant produces gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, fuel oil, bitumen, and other petroleum products. The refinery processes 7-8.5 million tonnes of oil annually.

As reported earlier, Ukrainian forces struck four major oil industry facilities in Russia overnight on April 18, including the Syzran refinery, where fires were also recorded.