Initially, SBU drones attacked the facility to distract Russian air defenses, providing a "window" for Ukrainian missiles to strike the facility, an SBU source said.

The oil refinery in Novoshakhtinsk, Russia, which was struck overnight, plays an important role in the defense industry of the Russian Federation, according to the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD),

A fire broke out at the facility after a mass drone attack in the early hours of Dec. 19, Russian media reported, citing eyewitnesses. Video footage allegedly shows the refinery in flames.

Ukraine struck Russian territory with at least 13 missiles and 84 drones, triggering a fire at an oil refinery in the southern Rostov region that burned for hours, Russian officials said on Thursday.

Fire at Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery was extinguished at 6:45 a.m. local time, says Rostov's acting governor - Anadolu Ajansı

Ukraine has inflicted another major blow on Vladimir Putin's war machine following a suspected drone and missile attack on a key Russian oil refinery.

Local governor Yuri Slyusar said Russian air defence systems repelled a Ukrainian attack in which 10 missiles were fired at the Rostov region. Footage posted on social media showed the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery engulfed in flames.