Drones belonging to the Ukrainian army attacked the refinery in Novokuybyshevsk, in Russia’s Samara Oblast in the European part of the country, the Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi reported Friday.

According to witness accounts, as well as photos and videos posted on Telegram by the pro-Ukrainian channel Exilenova+, a series of explosions and a fire broke out at the refinery, and flames engulfed a large part of the plant. Because of the attack, many flights at the airport in Samara are delayed.

The Novokuybyshevsk refinery belongs to the Rosneft company, and its annual oil-processing capacity is about 8.8 million tons. The plant produces gasoline, diesel fuel and aviation fuel, including for the Russian army’s needs.

Russian state media reported Friday that air defenses had shot down 1,043 Ukrainian drones over the country’s territory during the past night.

The Ukrainian General Staff said in a statement, meanwhile, that in Russia’s Kursk Oblast forces had destroyed, among other things, an Iskander-M system launcher, used to strike targets in Ukraine with ballistic missiles. (PAP)