Ukrainian forces struck the Kirishi oil refinery in Russia’s Leningrad Oblast in the early hours of March 26, causing fires on the site, according to the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian oil and energy infrastructure throughout the full-scale war, aiming to disrupt fuel supplies to the military and reduce state revenues that finance the war effort. These strikes have increasingly focused on high-capacity refineries and export-linked facilities, reflecting a broader strategy to impose economic costs beyond the battlefield.
The strike reportedly hit primary oil processing units and two storage tanks, though the full scale of the damage is still being assessed.
KINEF is one of Russia's three largest refineries
The Kirishi refinery, known as KINEF, is one of Russia’s three largest oil processing plants, with an annual capacity of roughly 20–21 million tons of crude. It accounts for more than 6% of the country’s total refining capacity and produces a wide range of petroleum products, including fuels used by Russian armed forces.
The General Staff said the attack forms part of “systematic measures” to reduce Russia’s military and economic potential and limit its ability to supply occupying forces. It added that such strikes would continue until Russia ends its armed aggression against Ukraine.
Air raids across Leningrad Oblast, flights suspended at Pulkovo
Regional Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko earlier confirmed industrial damage in the Kirishi area but said there were no casualties reported. He added that 21 drones had been intercepted during the incident, according to ASTRA.
Local authorities reported air raid alerts across Leningrad Oblast and St. Petersburg following the attack, with Pulkovo Airport suspending flights.
The Kirishi refinery has been targeted in previous drone attacks, including incidents in March 2024, March 2025, and October 4, 2025, ASTRA reported.
Third Baltic energy strike in four days
The strike comes amid an intensified Ukrainian campaign against Russia’s Baltic energy infrastructure in recent days.
On March 24–25, Ukrainian drones hit the NOVATEK gas processing complex at Ust-Luga port in Leningrad Oblast, with both the Security Service of Ukraine and Special Operations Forces claiming responsibility.
That operation followed another drone strike on the Primorsk oil terminal on March 22–23, where a fuel depot was set on fire.
Ukrainian officials have described these coordinated attacks as part of a sustained effort to target export infrastructure that generates revenue for Russia’s war effort and supports global shipments of oil and gas products.
