Nearly 800km From Ukraine, Drones Hit Key Russian Oil Refinery Again

A major Russian oil refinery in the Leningrad region was targeted in a drone attack overnight, with early reports indicating a fire broke out at the facility, according to local accounts cited by Russian media Astra on March 26.

The strike hit the Kirishinefteorgsintez refinery—commonly known as KINEF—located in the city of Kirishi, one of the largest oil processing plants in Russia.

Regional governor Aleksandr Drozdenko confirmed that drones had attacked the area overnight, reporting damage within an industrial zone in the Kirishi district.

Witnesses reported flames and thick smoke rising from the site, suggesting that fuel storage tanks may have caught fire. Satellite-based monitoring from NASA’s FIRMS system also detected thermal anomalies consistent with a blaze on the refinery’s territory.

KINEF is a key component of Russia’s fuel production infrastructure, specializing in refining crude oil into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other petroleum products. The plant, operated by Surgutneftegaz, has an annual processing capacity of approximately 20 million tons.

The facility lies roughly 790 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, underscoring the growing range of long-distance drone operations.

This marks at least the fourth known attack on the refinery. A previous strike in October 2025 damaged a critical processing unit responsible for desalting and primary oil distillation—an essential stage in refining that separates crude into usable fuel components.

That earlier attack also hit a specialized installation unique within Russia, used in the production of liquid paraffins and alkylbenzenes—materials important for both industrial and fuel applications.

Disruptions to such systems can significantly impact refinery output, as they are central to the broader processing chain.

Earlier, reports emerged that Russian Baltic ports suspended oil loading operations after a significant Ukrainian drone attack.

The Primorsk and Ust-Luga terminals, which serve as Russia’s primary export hubs, stopped loading crude oil and petroleum products. The strikes caused massive fires, with smoke visible as far away as Finland.

On the Frontline of Truth

Our reporters work on the frontlines to show what’s really happening in Ukraine. Your support helps them keep reporting.

SUPPORT