Novoshakhtinsk () is a mining city in Rostov Oblast, Russia, within 20 kilometres of the Dovzhansky border crossing to Ukraine.
History
It was established in 1939.
The population was:
Russo-Ukrainian War
During the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery refinery in the city was damaged and set ablaze in a targeted strike by a Ukrainian Mugin-5 Pro drone in June 2022. Russian state media outlet
TASS reported no casualties, and the resulting fire was extinguished.
An unverified video of the drone strike recorded by Russian oil refinery workers began circulating on social media, which pro-Ukrainian activists used to mock the Russian air defense systems that failed to stop the drones. The video was also posted to the
YouTube channel run by Ukraine's land forces, who referred to the blaze as a “holy fire.”
On 19 December 2024 the refinery was struck again by Ukrainian drones and missiles, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The involvement of the Ukrainian Navy and recent attacks near the facility pointed to the use of Neptune missiles.
On 21 August 2025 Ukrainian drones again attacked and caused fire at the refinery, even though it was reportedly defended by Pantsir and Tor anti-aircraft systems.
Administrative and municipal status
Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is incorporated as
Novoshakhtinsk Urban Okrug—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts.
[Law #340-ZS] As a municipal division, this administrative unit also has urban okrug status.
[Law #216-ZS]
Notable people
Notes
Sources
