Drones attack Russia's second-largest oil refinery, sparking fire – photos, video
Drones attacked Kirishinefteorgsintez in the Russian city of Kirishi in Leningrad Oblast on the night of 8-9 November. The facility is Russia's second-largest oil refinery by processing capacity and is subject to international sanctions.
Source: Ukrainian monitoring Telegram channels Exilenova+, Dnipro Osin and Supernova+; Russian media outlet Astra; Leningrad Oblast Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko
Quote from Astra: "The Kirishi oil refinery in Leningrad Oblast is on fire following a drone attack. It is a key supplier of fuel for St Petersburg and aviation kerosene for Pulkovo Airport."
Details: An OSINT analyst from Astra examined footage from Kirishi and confirmed that the local oil refinery is on fire. Drozdenko also said that 113 drones had been shot down over the oblast during the night.
Early reports indicate that the attack caused a fire at one of the refinery's primary oil refining units, ELOU-AVT-2, while the ELOU-AVT-6 and ELOU-AT-6 units were also hit.
The refinery, located near St Petersburg, is part of the Surgutneftegas group and plays an important role in supplying petroleum products to northwestern Russia.
The refinery has a design capacity of approximately 20-21 million tonnes of crude oil per year. It produces petrol, diesel fuel, aviation kerosene, fuel oil, bitumen, liquefied gas and petrochemical products.
In 2025, the US imposed sanctions on Surgutneftegas and its affiliated entities, including the Kirishi oil refinery. The EU and the UK have also imposed sanctions on the company.
Background:
- The refinery has been targeted by drones several times before. In particular, it completely suspended operations following an attack in March.
- Ukraine's defence forces last attacked the facility in August.
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