Ukrainian Drones Strike Russia’s Second-Largest Oil Refinery; Moscow Says 81 UAVs Downed

Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s Kinef oil refinery in the town of Kirishi in the Leningrad region during an overnight attack, reportedly causing explosions and fires at one of the country’s largest oil-processing facilities.

The attack targeted the Kirishi Petroleum Organic Synthesis plant, commonly known as the Kinef refinery, located in northwestern Russia. The Kyiv Independent, citing Ukrainian monitoring channels Exilenova+ and Supernova+, reported large explosions at the facility.

Satellite data also indicated possible fires at the site. NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), which detects thermal anomalies using satellite observations, registered multiple hotspots in the refinery area, according to The Kyiv Independent.

MOSCOW REPORTS 81 DRONES INTERCEPTED

Leningrad Region Governor Alexander Drozdenko said Russian air defence systems had intercepted 81 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the region. He added that the operation was continuing.

“As many as 81 enemy UAVs have been downed over the Leningrad Region. The air defence operation is ongoing,” Drozdenko was quoted as saying by Russian news agency TASS.

The governor also confirmed that drone strikes had hit the industrial zone in Kirishi. Debris from a drone struck an apartment building in the town, prompting the evacuation of a family, he said.

WHY THE KINEF REFINERY MATTERS

The Kinef refinery has an annual crude oil processing capacity of around 20 million metric tonnes and accounts for more than six per cent of Russia’s total refined oil output. It produces several petroleum products, including fuels used by the Russian armed forces.

The facility is also subject to Western sanctions, including measures imposed by the United States.

Ukraine has targeted the refinery before. On May 5, it temporarily suspended processing after drone strikes damaged three of its four crude distillation units. The facility was reportedly targeted again on August 30.

ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE BECOMES A TARGET

The latest strike comes amid a wider campaign by Ukraine against Russian oil and energy infrastructure. According to The Kyiv Independent, senior Ukrainian officials have said Kyiv never formally agreed to a temporary halt in attacks on Russian refineries, despite US President Donald Trump’s efforts to secure an energy ceasefire.

Russia, meanwhile, has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing power cuts and disruptions to water supplies.

On November 3, Russian forces launched an overnight assault involving 289 attack drones, 17 ballistic missiles and 59 cruise missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

ABU DHABI TALKS AHEAD

The latest exchange of attacks comes ahead of working-level negotiations between Russia and Ukraine scheduled for November 10 and 11 in Abu Dhabi. The talks are being mediated by the United States as Washington continues efforts to advance a possible peace agreement.

With inputs from ANI