Ukraine Drones Spark Fire at Key Transneft Oil Hub in Tatarstan - The Moscow Times
Moscow Times
February 23, 2026
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Ukrainian drones have targeted a critical oil pumping station in Tatarstan, Russia, causing a fire at the Kaleykino facility. The station is vital for aggregating and transporting nearly 30% of Russia's crude oil, including exports via the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia. While no casualties were reported, the attack highlights Ukraine's ongoing strategy to disrupt Russian energy infrastructure, a key revenue source for Moscow's war effort.
The incident occurred early Monday when drone debris caused a fire in an industrial zone near Almetyevsk. Local residents reported hearing multiple explosions around 4 a.m., followed by a fire that emergency crews are still working to contain hours later. The attack comes after similar strikes were reported nearby on Saturday, targeting the same region's critical infrastructure.
Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian oil and gas facilities since last year, aiming to undermine Russia's economic interests. Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry reported intercepting or destroying three of 152 Ukrainian drones in Tatarstan. The Kaleykino station serves as a hub for crude oil from several regions, making it a strategic target. Its disruption underscores the broader impact of Ukraine's infrastructure attacks on global energy supplies and export routes.
The Druzhba pipeline is crucial for European countries like Hungary and Slovakia, which have faced halted oil shipments since a January airstrike in Western Ukraine. Hungary had even threatened to block EU financial assistance for Ukraine unless Kyiv resumed oil transit through its territory. The ongoing conflict over energy infrastructure continues to shape geopolitical dynamics and energy security concerns across Europe and beyond.
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Originally published on Moscow Times on 2/23/2026