A huge blaze ignited at a Russian oil refinery overnight as Ukrainian drones struck the Kirishi facility in Leningrad Oblast, with dramatic footage showing the aftermath of the attack. The UAVs targeted one of Russia’s largest refineries, causing a fire that was later contained, with no casualties reported.
The incident marks a significant escalation in Ukraine’s campaign against Russia’s energy infrastructure, aimed at disrupting the economic backbone of Moscow’s ongoing war. According to Leningrad Oblast Governor Alexander Drozdenko, Russian air defences intercepted three Ukrainian drones over Kirishi, but debris from one crashed into the Kirishinefteorgsintez (KINEF) refinery, sparking the fire.
The facility, operated by Surgutneftegaz, processes 17.7 million metric tons of crude annually—equivalent to 355,000 barrels per day—accounting for 6.4% of Russia’s refining capacity.
Located 800 kilometres from Ukraine’s border, Kirishi is a critical hub for fueling Russia’s military and civilian needs.
Unverified footage and photos shared by local residents through the Russian opposition outlet Astra showed a large explosion and flames rising from the refinery.
The Kyiv Independent could not confirm these reports independently, but the visuals align with accounts of a significant blast.
Drozdenko stated the fire was extinguished, and operations were stabilizing, though the extent of the damage remains unclear due to restricted information from Russian authorities.
This strike is part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to target Russia’s oil industry, which Kyiv views as a legitimate military target for funding Moscow’s invasion, now in its fourth year.
In March 2025, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) claimed responsibility for a previous attack on Kirishi that disrupted operations.
Just two days prior, on September 12, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) struck Primorsk, Russia’s largest Baltic Sea oil port, causing fires that halted shipments, an SBU source said.
These attacks have compounded Russia’s energy woes, with refining output down 15% in Q2 2025, per industry estimates, amid Western sanctions and export caps.
The Kirishi strike, 497 miles from the front line, underscores Ukraine’s growing ability to conduct long-range drone operations deep in Russian territory.
The use of low-cost, precision-guided drones has allowed Kyiv to disrupt key infrastructure despite Russia’s bolstered S-400 air defences.
Moscow has promised retaliatory measures, but fuel shortages have already sparked queues across Russian cities, with diesel prices up 20% since January.
The ongoing conflict sees Russian forces stretched across a 1,200-kilometre front, while Ukraine leverages asymmetric tactics to offset its resource constraints.
With Western aid deliveries inconsistent, Kyiv’s drone campaign signals resilience and adaptability.
However, Russian media censorship and limited access to the Kirishi site obscure the full impact of the attack.
As both sides trade long-range blows, the war’s economic toll deepens, with Ukraine aiming to choke Russia’s oil-driven war machine while Moscow scrambles to protect its critical assets.
