A series of explosions shook the Russian city of Kstovo overnight as drones possibly targeted its key oil and petrochemical infrastructure. Nizhny Novgorod airport temporarily halted flights during the drone attack, though no confirmed damage has been reported so far. Kstovo is located about 790 km from Ukraine's northern border.
Drones breach Russian airspace over Kstovo
In the early hours of 24 November, residents of Kstovo in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast reported hearing at least 10 loud explosions, accoridng to Liga. The noise was reportedly so intense that it was heard even through closed windows, local Telegram groups said. The blasts were linked to an incoming drone attack on the area. Videos, shared by Ukrainian and Russian sources, feature sounds of explosions in Kstovo.
Russian news Telegram channel Astra reported that the explosions occurred in the city’s industrial zone, where two major energy facilities are located — the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez oil refinery and the Sibur-Kstovo petrochemical plant. Both plants had previously been targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes.
The Lukoil refinery is one of Russia’s largest, with a reported annual processing capacity of around 17 million tons of crude oil. The Sibur facility produces ethylene, propylene, benzene, and other hydrocarbon fractions.
Airport locked down under Plan Kovyor
The drone activity triggered the implementation of Plan Kovyor ("Carpet") at Nizhny Novgorod airport, a Russian emergency protocol used to ground and divert aircraft during airspace threats. Authorities suspended arrivals and departures for several hours before Rosaviatsiya confirmed that operations had resumed by 04:55.
Despite the widespread reports of explosions and the airspace closure, the governor of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast has not issued any public comment on the incident.
Russian Ministry claims 93 drones intercepted
Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that its forces allegedly intercepted or destroyed 93 drones during the night, including seven over Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. However, reports from residents and videos shared online suggested that multiple drones managed to penetrate air defenses and reach the Kstovo area.
Later the same day, Moscow’s mayor claimed that additional Ukrainian drones were allegedly shot down while flying toward the Russian capital. Temporary flight restrictions were also imposed at three airports serving Moscow.
