Ukrainian drones struck the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez oil refinery in Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, overnight on 5 April, setting two facilities ablaze and also hitting the Novogorkovskaya thermal power plant that supplies electricity and steam to the refinery's industrial zone, according to Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+, confirmed by NASA FIRMS satellite fire data and Novgorod Oblast governor Gleb Nikitin.
Two Lukoil facilities and a power plant hit — governor confirms
Ukrainian attack monitoring Telegram channel Exilenova+ began sharing footage and reports from Kstovo at 1:01 a.m. Kyiv time, with a drone attack underway. A subsequent post reported power outages in the city. By 2 a.m. Exilenova+ reported the refinery on fire, and by 2 a.m. further posts described the entire refinery industrial zone ablaze. At 5:10 a.m. Exilenova+ confirmed the fire was still burning on Lukoil's premises.
Governor Nikitin claimed that air defenses downed 30 drones over the Kstovo industrial zone overnight. He said falling debris ignited two facilities at the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez refinery — echoing the standard Russian line that avoids admitting a successful strike and instead blames damage on the crash of supposedly downed drones.
He also said the Novogorkovskaya thermal power plant was also damaged. Power supply to consumers was being restored, and no casualties were reported. Nikitin said the fires were "localized."
Russian news Telegram channel Astra verified footage from Exilenova+ showing a glow above the refinery, geolocating the filming position at approximately 4-5 km from the plant near the Vostorg shopping center in Kstovo. NASA's FIRMS satellite fire-monitoring data confirmed active heat signatures at the refinery site on 5 April.
Exilenova+ noted the Novogorkovskaya thermal power plant is a key energy hub for Kstovo, supplying electricity, heat, and steam to the refinery's industrial zone, adding that without it, stable operations in the industrial zone are in question.
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed 87 Ukrainian drones were downed overnight across 14 regions and occupied Crimea, including Nizhny Novgorod Oblast.
A repeated target: one of Russia's largest refineries
Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez, operating since 1958, is one of Russia's largest oil refineries, with an annual crude processing capacity of around 17 million tonnes and the production of over 50 petroleum products, including automotive petrol, aviation fuel, diesel, bitumen, and lubricants. It plays a key role in supplying the Moscow region and military fuel logistics. The facility is located approximately 800 km from Ukraine's border.
The refinery has been targeted repeatedly: drone strikes hit it in March 2024, July 2024, September 2025, and November 2025, causing fires and prompting the facility to halt production for the time of repair works.
Read also
-
Ukraine’s drones return to Bashneft-Novoil refinery in Ufa 1,300+ km from the front — the primary distillation unit is burning again
-
Ust-Luga burning again: Ukraine is now hitting this Russian oil port every other day — the shadow fleet tankers that load here keep waiting offshore
-
Ukrainian drones hit a shell casing factory in occupied Alchevsk — Russia’s air defense was nowhere to be seen
