A massive blaze has erupted at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur oil refinery in Russia, with initial reports indicating a refinery column about 50 meters high is engulfed in flames, covering an area roughly 300 square meters.

Authorities haven't yet said what caused the inferno, but "112", a pro-Kremlin channel, reported that a technological unit's column is alight. In recent times, Ukraine has aimed strikes at Russian energy infrastructure, which has led to disruptions in major oil refinery operations as part of the continued conflict. Geographically, the Komsomolks-on-Amur in the Khabarovsk region, which lies at the eastern extent of Russia by the Amur river and Sea of Okhotsk, seems too distant for conventional Western drone technology to reach. Likewise, the the distance to Ukraine is over 6,500 kilometers.

This comes after an immensity of fire, over 1,000 square meters, tore through the Tuapse oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai during the night of March 14, as divulged by regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev via Telegram.

Residents in the region reported hearing several explosions around 5am local time. Social media videos showed a large fire at the depot site. Kondratyev later alleged on social media the blasts were the result of an attack by Kyiv. A petrol storage tank caught fire, with over 100 emergency workers battling to put out the flames, added Kondratyev.

The Tuapse oil refinery, which processes 12 million tons annually, plays a crucial role in fueling the Russian military, and has been a frequent target for Ukraine, including a strike on February 26.

"The fire at the Tuapse oil complex has been extinguished. Work continues. Firefighters have the situation under control," wrote Sergei Boyko, head of the Tuapse municipal district, on Telegram.

Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its air defense systems intercepted or destroyed 72 Ukrainian drones across nine Russian regions from Sunday evening to Monday morning.

A "mass drone attack" targeted a fuel and energy complex in Russia's southern Astrakhan region, injuring one person. The Defense Ministry stated that 13 drones attacked the area overnight.

In January, Russian crews responded to an air attack in the Ryazan region southeast of Moscow. Social media posts showed videos of what seemed to be large fires in the city, claiming a major oil refinery and a power station had been hit by Ukrainian drones.

Governor Pavel Markov has confirmed that air defence units have successfully destroyed drones. Meanwhile, Moscow's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, reported that air defences intercepted attacks by Ukrainian drones at four locations around Russia's capital, with more drones reportedly heading towards the city.