Russian attacks have destroyed an oil refinery in the central Poltava region and struck “critical infrastructure”, most likely oil facilities, near the key port city of Odesa, local officials said. Dmytro Lunin, governor of the Poltava region, said on television that the refinery had been destroyed in a rocket attack on Saturday. “The fire at the refinery has been extinguished but the facility has been completely destroyed and can no longer function,” he said. The refinery’s destruction could not be independently verified. The plant processed 3.2 million tonnes of oil last year and its loss could prove a blow to Ukraine’s defence effort. Several rockets also hit Mykolaiv, an interior ministry aide said. Earlier, Russia’s defence ministry said its missiles had destroyed an oil refinery and three fuel storage facilities near Odesa. It said they had been used by Ukraine to supply its troops near Mykolaiv. Vladyslav Nazarov, an officer of Ukraine’s Southern Operational Command, said on Telegram that there had been a missile attack on “critical infrastructure”. Two columns of thick, black smoke could be seen rising into a grey sky before spreading out over the city. “All relevant systems and structures are working … No casualties reported,” Nazarov added. Odesa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov said on television the situation was “under control”, adding: “Homes, civilian infrastructure, roofs have suffered damage.”