A series of explosions rocked the Russian city of Omsk on 11 November during a drone attack. The Ukrainian monitoring channel Exilenova+ reported that the Omsk oil refinery, the largest facility of its kind in Russia, had been hit, and released footage of what appeared to be a fire. Vitaly Khotsenko, Governor of the Omsk Region, confirmed the drone attack, although the Russian authorities have not yet commented on the damage to the refinery. Russian news outlets Interfax and NGS55 also reported on the attack.
- Explosions were heard in Omsk, Russia, on 11 November during a drone attack.
- Monitoring channels are reporting a fire at Russia’s largest oil refinery.
- The governor of the Omsk Region confirmed that the air defence system had been activated, but did not report any damage to the factory.
- During the attack, Omsk Airport suspended operations and public events in the city were cancelled.
Explosions were heard in Omsk during a drone attack
On the afternoon of 11 November, a drone alert was issued in the Omsk Region. Subsequently, the region’s governor Vitaliy Khotsenko reported that Russian air defences are repelling an attack by Ukrainian drones.
Local residents reported hearing loud explosions in various parts of the city. According to NGS55, some eyewitnesses compared the intensity of the sounds to an earthquake.
Following the attack, Omsk Airport temporarily suspended the arrival and departure of flights. A number of public events in the city were also cancelled, and residents were warned of possible disruptions to mobile phone and internet services.
The Ukrainian channel Exilenova+ has stated that The Defence Forces’ attack drones have covered more than 2,500 kilometres and reached the area around the Omsk oil refinery. Footage of the glow over the industrial zone has appeared online.
The Omsk Oil Refinery is Russia’s largest oil refinery
The plant is owned by Gazprom Neft and has a design capacity of over 21 million tonnes of crude oil processing per year.
The plant produces motor petrol, diesel fuel, aviation kerosene, lubricants and other petrochemical products. Some of its output is used to meet Russian military requirements.
In 2024, the Omsk Oil Refinery processed approximately 22 million tonnes of crude oil. This makes the refinery one of the most important facilities in the Russian oil refining industry.
The plant had already been attacked in July and October
Omsk Oil Refinery This is not the first time it has been targeted by Ukrainian long-range drones.
On 6 July 2026, the Ukrainian Defence Forces carried out a strike on the facility, which resulted in damage to the crude oil processing unit. Ukrmedia, citing industry sources, reported that the plant had suspended operations.
A second strike was recorded on 8 October. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed an attack on the Omsk oil refinery, whilst Fire Point reported the use of upgraded drones FP-1.
These strikes form part of a campaign by the Defence Forces aimed at reducing Russia’s ability to produce fuel and fund its military needs.
