One of Russia’s three largest oil refineries hit by drones and is on fire
Photo: a fire broke out at the plant after the strike (screenshot)
On the night of Thursday, March 26, the Defense Forces struck the Kirishi oil refinery in Russia’s Leningrad region. A fire broke out at the facility, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a statement from the Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS).
"According to preliminary information, a fire broke out at the facility — igniting the primary oil processing units and two storage tanks. The extent of the damage and the results of the strike are being clarified," reports the General Staff.
It is noted that the Kirishi oil refinery supplies petroleum products via pipelines to the ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk for further export.
"Each of these facilities has already been hit by the Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS). This is part of a systematic destruction of Russia’s oil refining and export chain — from raw materials to processing and subsequent shipment," the SBS emphasizes.
Last night, the plant was struck by operators from the 1st Separate SBS Center in coordination with other components of the Defense Forces.
Russia’s second-largest refinery
The Kirishi refinery is the second-largest in the aggressor country and ranks among its three biggest oil refineries. The facility has a processing capacity of about 20–21 million tons of oil per year, accounting for over 6% of Russia’s total oil refining volume.
The plant’s capacity is also used, among other things, to produce fuel that supports the armed forces of the aggressor country.
"The Armed Forces of Ukraine will continue systematic measures to reduce Russia’s military-economic potential and limit the occupiers’ logistical capabilities," the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine states.
On March 25, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported a special operation targeting the infrastructure of the Ust-Luga oil terminal in the Leningrad region. Long-range drones from the SBU Special Operations Center Alpha struck targets at a distance of 900 km.
After recent drone attacks, Russia temporarily halted oil exports through the ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga. The strikes caused fires and disruptions to infrastructure operations.
Additionally, on March 23, the Defense Forces attacked strategic Russian energy facilities — the Transneft terminal at Primorsk port and the Bashneft-Ufaneftekhim oil refinery.
