Several regions across Russia were struck by a series of drone strikes during the night of August 2. These attacks focused on key industrial facilities in the Ryazan, Penza, and Samara oblasts. According to local news and regional authorities, fires and explosions were reported shortly after the drone strikes, with damage seen at oil refineries and production plants.

Drone Strikes Hit Multiple Russian Regions Overnight

In the Ryazan region, a major fire broke out near what was reported to be an oil refinery. A massive column of flames was seen soaring into the night sky in videos that were posted online. Officials confirmed that a drone strike took place but did not mention the exact site. They did say that parts of the drone fell onto the grounds of an industrial facility. Emergency workers were quickly dispatched to deal with the fire and any possible damage.

In Penza, loud blasts shook the city after drone strikes possibly targeted the Elektropribor plant, which is known for producing electronic components. Reports from independent monitoring channels mentioned at least five explosions. Although there was no official statement from local leaders, the incident left many residents alarmed as sounds of blasts echoed across the area.

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The Novokuibyshevsky oil refinery, which is only 20 kilometers from Samara, was apparently struck in the Samara region. Following the drone strikes, witnesses reported seeing smoke and fire emanating from the site. Videos of flames erupting from the refinery were shared on Telegram channels. Similar to Ryazan, regional authorities acknowledged that a drone strike had taken place, although they did not specify the precise target.

Disruption to Internet and Flights Reported

The drone strikes not only caused fires and damage to infrastructure but also disrupted daily life in some of the affected areas. After the attacks, mobile internet services were temporarily suspended in Samara. This action was done to stop the dissemination of unconfirmed footage and keep locals from becoming confused.

Following the drone strikes, the Samara airport was also shut down for a while. Passengers had to wait for updates while flights were delayed. A date for the return of regular airport operations was not provided by officials.

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One of the main oil facilities in the area is the Novokuibyshevsky refinery, which is owned by the state-run energy corporation Rosneft.  International sanctions are currently in place for both the refinery and the Penza Elektropribor factory. The damage from the drone strikes could affect industrial operations, though the full extent is not yet confirmed.

In Ryazan, drone debris was found in an industrial zone. Emergency teams secured the area and worked to ensure there was no ongoing threat from the wreckage. The authorities said that the response teams were still on-site, examining the damage caused by the drone strikes.

Additional Drone Strikes Reported in Other Regions

Reports also came in from Lipetsk and Voronezh, where drone strikes may have occurred during the same time. However, officials have not released full details about these incidents. It is still unclear what sites were targeted or whether any fires or damage occurred in those regions.

The timing of these drone strikes is important to note. They occurred barely one day after Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, was struck on July 31 by a massive missile and drone attack. That deadly assault killed at least 31 people and injured more than 170. It was one of the deadliest attacks on Kyiv since the start of the conflict.

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The August 2 drone strikes in Russia seem to be part of a larger pattern of attacks using unmanned aerial vehicles. These strikes have hit areas that are important for energy production and military supply chains. With oil refineries and industrial plants as the main targets, the attackers appear to be aiming at disrupting vital infrastructure.

Emergency crews are still working in all affected areas. Fires are being brought under control, and inspections are underway to understand the full damage. Authorities have not confirmed if more drone strikes are expected or who may be behind them.