Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A New Threat to National Security in the Oil and Gas Sector?

In a recent development, the Ukrainian Security Service launched a drone attack on the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat oil refinery in Bashkiria, setting a new range record of over 1,500 kilometers. This follows previous bombings at oil depots in the Krasnodar Territory of Russia. The drone targeted an oil catalytic cracking installation at the refinery, causing damage.

On May 9, Ukrainian drones had also attacked an oil depot in the Krasnodar Territory, leading to a fire at the site. These incidents indicate escalating tensions and conflicts in the region, with unmanned aerial vehicles being used in targeted attacks on strategic oil facilities.

The use of drones for targeted attacks on critical infrastructure is becoming increasingly common and poses a significant threat to national security. As a result of these attacks, concerns have been raised about the security of critical infrastructure and the potential for further disruptions in the oil and gas sector. Authorities are likely to increase surveillance and security measures to prevent future attacks and safeguard vital facilities from similar incidents.