In a daring night-time operation, Ukraine’s military says it struck the Kirishi oil refinery in Russia’s Leningrad region, igniting explosions and fires at one of Russia’s largest oil-processing hubs.
Ukraine’s drone command confirmed the “successful strike,” noting that the refinery supplies around 80 types of petroleum products—including gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel—that feed into Russia’s defense network.
Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that its air defenses intercepted at least 361 drones, along with four guided aerial bombs and a U.S.-made HIMARS missile, but did not specify where the interceptions took place.
No injuries have been reported in the Kirishi area, according to the governor of the Leningrad region. Meanwhile, an oil plant in Bashkortostan weathered a separate drone attack without disrupting production, regional governor Radiy Khabirov said.
Quick Facts
- Ukraine says it hit Kirishi refinery, vital for Russian fuel supply.
- Russia shot down at least 361 drones and other munitions overnight.
- No casualties reported in the Leningrad region.
- Kyiv advances in Sumy border districts amid ongoing counteroffensive.
- US and EU debating faster energy sanctions on Russia.
“The most effective sanctions are firing on oil plants, on their terminals, on their depots,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in his nightly address. He highlighted last week’s first-ever strike on the port of Primorsk as another blow to Russia’s energy infrastructure.
On the ground, Ukrainian forces advanced in the border districts of northern Sumy region—areas where Russian troops have long sought to establish a foothold. Russia, for its part, said its forces targeted temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries.
Globally, pressure is mounting to tighten energy sanctions on Russia. The United States has urged NATO members to halt Russian oil imports before fresh measures can be enforced, while the EU has confirmed its plan to phase out Russian oil and gas by 2028 despite calls for a swifter timeline.
As Kyiv leverages both military operations and energy diplomacy, the recent wave of strikes underscores the evolving arsenal of tactics shaping modern conflict—and highlights how energy security remains at the heart of geopolitical strategy.
Reference(s):
Ukraine claims strike on oil refinery in Russia's Leningrad region
cgtn.com
