A Russian oil refinery was rocked by a massive explosion on the eve of a sham election that is sure to see despot Vladimir Putin elected for another term.

07:58, Fri, Mar 15, 2024 | UPDATED: 08:11, Fri, Mar 15, 2024

A massive explosion rocked a Russian oil refinery as Vladimir Putin gears up for the country's election.

The news comes as dissident groups based in Ukraine turned the Russian border into an active combat zone attempting to take over towns and disrupt the vote that is widely seen as rigged.

Video posted to social media shows a huge blast purportedly at a refinery in the Kaluga region of Russia southwest of Moscow.

Posting on Telegram, local outlet RBC Ukraine claimed Kyiv's intelligence service - the GUR - attacked the refinery overnight.

It said: "GUR operation. In the Kaluga region, drones attacked an oil refinery. A source in the Defense Forces told RBC-Ukraine that drones attacked the Pershii Zavod petrochemical enterprise, which is engaged in oil processing.

"According to the publication, this is an operation of the GUR of the Ministry of Defense."

???????????? Another oil refinery in Russia was attacked overnight. This time, the refinery in the Kaluga region. Huge bang after impact. pic.twitter.com/NFKNzpP0wX

— NOELREPORTS ???????????? ???????????? (@NOELreports) March 15, 2024

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