Ukrainian Drones Target Major Russian Oil Refinery, Igniting Blaze

Ukrainian drones overnight struck one of Russia’s largest oil refineries, sparking a fire, according to Russian officials and Ukraine’s military.

The attack on the Kirishi refinery in Russia’s Leningrad region comes after several weeks of Ukrainian strikes targeting Russian oil infrastructure, which Kyiv claims is linked to Moscow’s war efforts. The refinery, run by Russian oil company Surgutneftegas, has a production capacity of about 17.7 million metric tons annually (355,000 barrels per day) and ranks among Russia’s top three in output.

Over three years into Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, drones have proven pivotal for both warring parties. On Wednesday, several Russian drones entered Polish airspace, leading NATO to deploy fighter jets to neutralize the threat, highlighting longstanding fears that the conflict could extend beyond Ukraine’s borders.

Ukraine’s General Staff reported explosions and a subsequent fire at the Kirishi refinery, sharing an image that seemingly depicted flames and thick smoke rising against the backdrop of the night sky.

Regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko noted that three drones were intercepted overnight in the Kirishi region, with debris igniting a fire at the refinery. He confirmed that there were no injuries and that the fire was extinguished promptly.

Russian authorities have yet to comment on the aftermath of the attack. The Russian Defense Ministry, however, reported that at least 80 Ukrainian drones were downed overnight across Russia, the occupied Crimea, and the nearby Sea of Azov.

While Russia continues to be the world’s second-largest oil exporter, a seasonal increase in demand coupled with ongoing Ukrainian drone assaults has led to recent gasoline shortages.

Gas stations have run dry in some regions of the country, with motorists waiting in long lines and officials resorting to rationing or cutting off sales altogether.

To try to ease the shortage, Russia has paused gasoline exports, with officials Wednesday declaring a full ban until Sept. 30 and a partial ban affecting traders and intermediaries until Oct. 31.

Deadly incidents along Russia’s rails

Also in the Leningrad region, a diesel locomotive was derailed during the night, local Gov. Drozdenko said Sunday. The region surrounds but does not include Russia’s second city of St. Petersburg.

Drozdenko said the locomotive’s driver was trapped in his cabin, and later died of his injuries while being transported to a hospital. He added an official probe would check for signs of sabotage.

Separately, a bomb planted along railway lines in Russia’s Oryol region has killed three people, according to reports by local Gov. Andrey Klychkov. He said victims had been inspecting the track, and identified one as a member of Russia’s National Guard.

According to Klychkov’s posts, published late Saturday and Sunday, the incident happened near the town of Maloarkhangelsk, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the Ukrainian border. Russian officials did not immediately comment on what caused it.

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