KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian drones launched overnight strikes against a significant gas processing facility in southern Russia, resulting in a fire, as reported by the local governor of the region. The incident took place at the Orenburg plant, operated by the state-run gas company Gazprom, situated near the Kazakh border in the Orenburg region. This facility is part of one of the largest production and processing complexes globally, boasting an annual capacity of 45 billion cubic meters.

Regional Governor Yevgeny Solntsev provided details of the attack, stating that the drone strikes ignited a fire in one of the workshops at the plant, causing damage. Fortunately, he confirmed that there were no reported casualties stemming from the incident.

In response to the drone strikes, Russia's Defense Ministry announced early Sunday that its air defense forces successfully intercepted and shot down a total of 45 Ukrainian drones during the night. Among these interceptions were drones over the Orenburg region, as well as 23 more downed in the adjacent Samara and Saratov regions.

While there has been no immediate reaction from Ukrainian officials, Ukraine has significantly intensified its attacks on Russian energy facilities in recent months. Ukrainian authorities assert that these facilities play a crucial role in funding and supporting Moscow's ongoing war efforts.

This incident reflects the escalating tensions and military actions between Ukraine and Russia, especially regarding strategic assets linked to energy production and supply. The targeted strikes aim to disrupt Russia's capacity to sustain its military operations while highlighting Ukraine's increasing operational reach.