Disaster for Putin as huge fireball erupts at major oil refinery and drones target airbase

A huge explosion ripped through an oil refinery in the Russian city of Omsk, causing a massive blaze to break out.

The incident happened on Monday at the Gazpromneft-ONPZ, one of Russia's biggest refineries.

The raging inferno spread quickly through the refinery, covering an area of 1000 square metres.

15 fire crews raced to the scene and attempted to contain the blaze as it took hold of the plant.

Two employees are reported to have suffered burns as a result of the explosion and fire, and are receiving medical treatment.

Local residents living near the refinery reported hearing a large explosion that shook their homes, before seeing a giant fireball erupt.

One told local media: "There was a sound as if something fell on the roof of the house and there was a strong impact, and an earthquake began.

"The curtains shook, the glass on the table too, the door and the balcony shook. So it was not just a fire.

"I really heard an explosion. Ambulances and fire trucks are heading towards the oil refinery."

The plant's management issued a statement saying that firefighters had succeeded in bringing the blaze under control.

They said: "The fire at the Omsk Refinery is under control. The plant's automatic safety system detected a fire in technological equipment.

"Automated fire extinguishing equipment and the fire service quickly localise the fire. The company is operating as usual."

It comes as Ukrainian drones once again targeted the Engels airbase in the Saratov region.

The airfield is home to a squadron of Tu-95MS bombers, that are capable of carrying nuclear bombs.

One of the drones flew into a skyscraper in the city of Saratov, seriously injuring a woman, who was rushed to hospital for treatment.

The apartment building is located just 12 kilometres and 22 minutes by car from the Engels-2 airbase.