The Atlas oil depot near Kamensk-Shakhtinsky in ‘s Rostov Oblast erupted into flames early this morning, November 29, after what local authorities called a major drone attack involving up to 30 UAVs.
Shared footage from ‘s Mash Telegram channel revealed intense flames engulfing at least two vertical tanks at the site, supplying petroleum products to the .
Regional officials claimed most drones were intercepted or neutralised using electronic warfare, with 38 fire appliances needed to bring the massive blaze under control.
The facility was the target of a similar attack in August involving drones operated by ‘s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) and Special Operations Forces (SOF). On that occasion, it triggered a massive blaze, which lasted over a week.
Eight vertical oil tanks were completely destroyed, with four others suffering extensive damage.
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This is the second time the oil depot is experiencing a fire in four months (Image: Astra)
The latest incident mirrors a series of similar attacks in recent months attributed to Ukrainian forces, targeting ’s strategic oil depots and military facilities.
Recent drone strikes have hit facilities like the Kaluganefteprodukt depot in Kaluga and oil storage sites in Bryansk and Tuapse, Krasnodar Krai.
These strikes have intensified in parallel with attacks on military infrastructure; for instance, in Kursk, a Ukrainian operation reportedly damaged radar systems of the Russian S-400 missile defence system.
Such incidents underscore ’s growing use of drones and missiles to disrupt ’s logistical and defence capabilities far from the frontline.
Smoke billows high into the sky over the refinery (Image: Mash)
A statement issued by the Ukrainian Defence Ministry said: “Defence forces of hit the oil depot and destroyed the radar station of the Buk-M3 air defense system of the Russian occupiers.
“On the night of November 29, an attack was made on the Atlas oil depot in the Rostov region of the Russian Federation.”
As a result of the damage, a fire broke out and “at least two sources of ignition were recorded”, the statement explained.
It continued: “The target was located in the temporarily occupied territory of the Zaporizhzhia region.
“The task was carried out by units of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defensce of in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces. Joint combat work on important military objectives of the Russian occupiers continues. Next will be… Glory to !”