NextFin news, On Friday night, September 12, 2025, drone strikes targeted oil facilities owned by the Russian company Lukoil in Smolensk, Russia, resulting in loud explosions and visible fires, according to eyewitnesses and official statements.
Vasily Anokhin, the governor of Smolensk Oblast, confirmed the drone attack and stated that Russian Ministry of Defense air defense systems were actively working to repel the aerial assault attributed to Ukrainian forces. Eyewitnesses shared video footage showing flashes in the sky and explosions on the ground in Smolensk.
In addition to Smolensk, explosions were also reported near Moscow. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced that Russian air defenses had intercepted and destroyed seven drones heading toward the capital. Emergency services were deployed to the sites where drone debris fell.
The attacks on Lukoil facilities in Smolensk are part of a broader pattern of drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure reported throughout 2025. According to Russian media and Telegram channels, multiple oil refineries, depots, and pumping stations across various Russian regions have been targeted by unmanned aerial vehicles this year.
The drone strikes on Friday night caused significant disruption and raised concerns about the security of critical energy infrastructure in western Russia. Authorities continue to investigate the extent of damage and maintain heightened air defense readiness in the affected areas.
Sources for this report include statements from Vasily Anokhin on Telegram, eyewitness videos published on social media, and official announcements from Moscow city authorities, as reported by Ukrainian Pravda on September 12, 2025.
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