Ukrainian drones behind overnight attack on Russia's Kstovo oil refinery

Deep-strike (long-range) units of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces (SOF), working with the Unmanned Systems Forces and other defence forces units, struck Russia's fourth-largest oil refinery, the Kstovo Refinery (also known as Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez), on the night of 25-26 August.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; Special Operations Forces

Quote: "On the night of 25-26 August 2026, units of Ukraine's defence forces struck facilities at the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez oil refinery in Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia.

A strike on the target has been confirmed, followed by a fire at the refinery."

Details: The extent of the damage is currently being assessed.

The Kstovo oil refinery is one of Russia's largest and is part of the Lukoil group of companies.

The refinery has a processing capacity of around 17 million tonnes of crude oil per year. It produces petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, fuel oil, bitumen, sulphur and other petroleum products.

The refinery is involved in supplying the needs of the Russian armed forces.

Overall, the facility accounts for up to 11% of Russia's petrol production.

Background: On the night of 25-26 August, drones attacked the Kstovo oil refinery in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia. A local facility belonging to Russia's largest online retailer, Wildberries, also came under attack.

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