Ukrainian drones behind attack on Russian Kstovo oil refinery overnight

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

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 on the refinery premises."

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.

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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