A Ukrainian drone reportedly struck a Lukoil refinery in northwestern Russia's Republic of Komi on Thursday, igniting a significant fire. The head of Komi, Rostislav Goldshteyn, confirmed that there were no injuries resulting from the attack. This incident occurred in the town of Ukhta, which is situated approximately 2,000 kilometers from the active conflict zone in eastern Ukraine and is home to an older Lukoil refinery that has previously been targeted by drone strikes.

In the aftermath of the attack, local officials, including Ukhta's Mayor Marina Metelyova, urged residents to remain calm and warned against filming the aftermath of the incident. Nevertheless, videos showing smoke rising from the refinery were disseminated online, highlighting the impact of the drone strike. This incident marks the second attack on Lukoil facilities this week, raising concerns over the security of critical infrastructure in Russia amidst the ongoing conflict.

In response to the attack, Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, temporarily grounded local flights from the nearby airport as a precautionary measure. The repeated targeting of oil facilities by Ukrainian drones underscores the ongoing tension and the strategic importance of such infrastructures in the conflict. This development could further escalate hostilities and prompts discussions regarding the need for enhanced protective measures for critical assets in the region.