Ukrainian Drone Attack Triggers Fire at Key Russian Refinery

(MENAFN) A Ukrainian drone attack overnight triggered a fire at one of Russia’s largest oil refineries in the northwestern Leningrad region, Russian and Ukrainian officials confirmed Sunday, in what Kyiv described as a strategic strike on Moscow’s military fuel supply.

The Kirishi refinery, operated by Russian energy giant Surgutneftegas, caught fire after debris from three Ukrainian drones fell onto the facility, Leningrad Governor Alexander Drozdenko reported via Telegram. The fire was swiftly contained, and no injuries were reported, he said.

Russia’s Defense Ministry later claimed its air defenses had intercepted 80 Ukrainian drones during the night, including two over the Leningrad region.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s General Staff acknowledged responsibility for the refinery strike, describing it as a deliberate effort to undermine Russia’s logistical capacity.

“This facility produces about 80 types of petroleum products, including automotive gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, etc., and is used to meet the needs of the Russian Armed Forces,” the Ukrainian military said in an official statement. It characterized the Kirishi site as “one of the largest” refineries in Russia.

The statement emphasized the military objective: “The aim of the strike was to weaken Russia’s ability to provide its troops with fuel, weapons and ammunition.”

The attack underscores a growing trend of long-range Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russian territory, targeting energy infrastructure that plays a crucial role in sustaining Moscow’s war effort.

Let me know if you'd like a visual map of the refinery location or a timeline of recent strikes on Russian infrastructure.

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