Ukrainian drones target one of Russia's Largest Refineries, Sparking Fire in Leningrad Region
This marks the second known strike on Kirishi this year
In a bold escalation of its long-range drone campaign, Ukraine targeted one of Russia's largest oil refineries overnight, igniting a massive fire at the Kirishi facility in the northwestern Leningrad region, according to both Ukrainian military sources and Russian regional authorities. The strike, part of a broader assault involving over 360 drones, underscores Kyiv's strategy to disrupt Moscow's fuel supply lines more than three years into Russia's full-scale invasion.
Operated by Surgutneftegas, the Kirishi refinery—Russia's second-largest—processes approximately 17.7 million metric tons of crude annually, equivalent to 355,000 barrels per day and accounting for about 6.4% of the nation's total output. It supplies petroleum products to St. Petersburg and surrounding areas, producing around 80 types including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.
Ukraine's General Staff confirmed the attack, releasing images of flames and thick smoke billowing into the night sky, while crediting the Unmanned Systems Forces and Special Operations Forces for the operation conducted over 800 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
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Leningrad Governor Alexander Drozdenko reported that Russian air defenses downed three drones near Kirishi, with debris from the interceptions sparking the blaze, which was quickly extinguished without casualties. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted at least 80 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions, including occupied Crimea and the Sea of Azov, though independent verification remains elusive. This marks the second known strike on Kirishi this year, following a March 2025 attack that temporarily halved its production.
The assault comes amid a summer of intensified Ukrainian drone operations against Russian energy infrastructure, exacerbating a nationwide gasoline crisis. Production of gasoline dropped 8.6% in early August compared to the previous year, with diesel down 10.3%, forcing stations in remote areas like the Far East and Crimea to ration fuel or close altogether. Motorists have faced hours-long queues and record-high prices, prompting the Kremlin to impose a full export ban until September 30 and a partial one until October 31. Analysts warn that sanctions limiting access to Western repair technology could prolong outages, potentially leading to broader rationing if strikes continue.
Drones have become a pivotal weapon in the protracted conflict, with both sides deploying them extensively. Just days ago, Russian drones briefly violated Polish airspace, triggering a NATO scramble and heightening fears of spillover. As the world's second-largest oil exporter, Russia grapples with seasonal demand spikes and war-induced vulnerabilities, testing its resilience on the energy front.
Compounding the energy woes, sabotage suspicions mounted in the Leningrad region after a diesel locomotive derailed overnight near Semrino station, killing the driver who succumbed to injuries en route to a hospital. The single-engine unit, hauling 15 empty tank cars on the Stroganovo-Mshinskaya line in Luga district, jumped the tracks, prompting Governor Drozdenko to announce an investigation into possible foul play. Russian Railways dispatched two recovery trains from St. Petersburg, but no further injuries were reported.
In a separate incident further south, an explosion rocked railway tracks near Maloarkhangelsk in Russia's Oryol region, killing three people—including two National Guard officers—and injuring another during a routine inspection. Governor Andrey Klychkov confirmed multiple explosive devices were found along the Maloarkhangelsk-Glazunovka section, about 200 kilometers from Ukraine, with one detonating amid demining efforts.
The blast delayed at least five to ten trains, and additional National Guard units were rushed from Kursk to secure the area. Russian officials have not publicly attributed the attack but are probing it as a terrorist act.
These rail incidents highlight a pattern of disruptions plaguing Russia's logistics, potentially linked to the ongoing war, as Kyiv seeks to hamper Moscow's military mobility. With peace talks faltering and drone warfare intensifying, the conflict shows no signs of abating, leaving civilians on both sides to bear the mounting costs.
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