Explosions Rock Lukoil’s Oil Refinery in Ukhta, Over 2,000 Km From Ukrainian Border

On February 12, the Lukoil-Ukhtaneftepererabotka oil refinery in the city of Ukhta, Komi Republic—more than 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border—was struck by drones

As reported by the Telegram channel Exilenova+, residents of Ukhta heard explosions and saw thick smoke rising in the area of the facility. Preliminary information suggests the refinery was targeted by drones.

“According to local reports, at least three strike UAVs reached their target,” Exilenova+ added.

At the same time, as reported by Astra, Russia’s aviation authority Rosaviatsiya announced the temporary closure of the local airport.

The Lukoil-Ukhtaneftepererabotka oil refinery in Russia’s Komi Republic plays a crucial role in supplying fuel to the country’s northern regions and providing lubricants to industrial facilities. As one of Lukoil’s four major refineries in Russia, it processes heavy crude oil and produces gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation kerosene.

While Russian oil refineries continue to come under sustained attacks, Russia has also begun experimenting with alternative aviation fuels, with Gazprom Neft announcing it had successfully tested jet fuel produced from recycled cooking oil.

According to the company, the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) was developed using complex esters and fatty acids, including used frying oil collected from the fast-food chain “Vkusno — i tochka .” The fuel was tested on a jet engine under conditions simulating all phases of flight, from takeoff and cruising to landing. The initiative is presented as part of efforts to reduce aviation’s environmental footprint.

Gazprom Neft said the trials demonstrated stable engine performance and a lower environmental impact compared to conventional jet fuel. The findings are expected to inform the development of a national standard for synthetic SAF components in Russia.

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Denis Demin, head of Strategy, Innovation, and Sustainability at Gazprom Neft, noted that the company has already supplied so-called “green fuel” for marine vessels for several years and described its application in aviation as a further step toward decarbonization.

The project is being implemented in cooperation with transport sector partners, including Aeroflot. Industry analysts estimate that the use of SAF could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared with traditional aviation fuel.

Earlier, it was reported that income from oil and gas flowing into Russia’s federal budget has fallen by roughly 50%, the sharpest drop recorded during Putin’s time in power.

In January 2026 alone, the state received only $5.1 billion in oil and gas tax revenues—half the amount collected in January the previous year.

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