Moscow: A wave of Ukrainian drone attacks has damaged an industrial area near one of Russia’s largest oil refineries in the Leningrad region, Russian officials said on Wednesday, in what appears to be part of a wider campaign targeting the country’s energy infrastructure.
The attack took place near the Kirishi refinery, a key facility that processes a significant share of Russia’s crude oil. Authorities said more than 20 drones were intercepted, but some managed to reach their target, causing damage to nearby industrial installations. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
The refinery, operated by Surgutneftegaz, is one of the biggest in Russia and plays an important role in producing fuel such as petrol and diesel. While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, initial reports suggest that core refining operations may not have been severely affected.
This latest strike highlights Ukraine’s growing use of long range drones to hit strategic sites deep inside Russian territory. The Kirishi facility has been targeted more than once in recent months, indicating a sustained effort to disrupt Russia’s fuel production and supply chains.
The attack comes at a time when Russia’s energy sector is already under pressure. Repeated drone strikes, along with disruptions at key export terminals in the Baltic region, have affected a large portion of the country’s oil export capacity.
Analysts say Ukraine is aiming to weaken Russia’s ability to fund its military operations by targeting oil infrastructure. At the same time, Russia has continued its own air strikes on Ukrainian cities, showing that the conflict is increasingly extending beyond the battlefield into critical economic sectors.
The growing attacks on energy facilities on both sides are raising concerns about global oil supply and prices, especially as tensions remain high in other parts of the world.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides expected to continue targeting key infrastructure in the coming weeks.