Ukrainian drones struck one of Russia’s largest oil refineries overnight, igniting a fire at a facility that is central to Moscow’s fuel supply, Russian officials and Ukraine’s military said Thursday.
The attack targeted the Kirishi oil refinery in Russia’s northwestern Leningrad region, an installation operated by Surgutneftegas and capable of processing nearly 17.7 million metric tons of crude annually, or about 355,000 barrels per day. Ukrainian officials said explosions followed by a fire erupted at the site, posting images of smoke and flames against the night sky.
Regional Gov. Alexander Drozdenko confirmed that three drones were shot down in the Kirishi area but said debris sparked a blaze at the refinery. He reported no injuries and added that firefighters contained the fire. Russia’s Defense Ministry did not immediately provide details on the extent of the damage or the operational impact on the plant.
The strike is part of a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian energy infrastructure, which Kyiv says powers Moscow’s war machine more than three years into the full-scale invasion. The refinery assault comes as Russia grapples with mounting fuel shortages that have left motorists in several regions facing long lines, empty pumps, and rationed sales.
To stem the crisis, Russian officials this week extended a ban on gasoline exports, imposing a full halt through Sept. 30 and a partial ban on intermediaries until Oct. 31. The government said the move was needed to stabilize the domestic market after weeks of supply disruptions.
Meanwhile, the risk of spillover beyond Ukraine’s borders persisted. On Wednesday, NATO scrambled fighter jets after multiple Russian drones crossed into Poland, a stark reminder of fears the conflict could spread deeper into Europe.
Russia, the world’s second-largest oil exporter, has seen its fuel supplies increasingly vulnerable to Ukrainian strikes on depots and refineries. Kyiv has argued that such operations are a legitimate part of its defense strategy, aiming to reduce Moscow’s capacity to sustain its war effort.
