Ukraine Strikes One Of Russia’s Largest Oil Refinery In Massive Drone Attack | Video

Last Updated:September 14, 2025, 21:53 IST

The Kirishi facility is among Russia’s top two refineries. It refines around 17.7 million metric tons of crude oil annually

Videos shared on social media showed the refinery exploding into flames, with a huge plume of smoke rising into the sky. (Screengrab via X)

Ukraine launched a major drone assault overnight, firing at least 361 drones at Russian targets, including one of the country’s biggest oil refineries, Russian officials said on Sunday. The strike triggered a fire at the Kirishi oil refinery in Russia’s northwest. No injuries have been reported.

The Kirishi facility, also known as Kirishinefteorgsintez (KINEF), is among Russia’s top two refineries. It refines around 17.7 million metric tons of crude oil annually—roughly 355,000 barrels per day, which is about 6.4% of Russia’s total refining capacity.

Videos shared on social media showed the refinery exploding into flames, with a huge plume of smoke rising into the sky.

The fire was reportedly sparked when debris fell after one of the drones was shot down over the site. Russian air defence systems claimed to have intercepted at least three drones near Kirishi, says the governor of Leningrad region. The fire has since been extinguished, Reuters reported.

Russia’s defence ministry stated that it shot down all 361 drones using air defence systems. The attack reportedly included four guided aerial bombs and a US-made HIMARS missile, though authorities did not specify exact locations for all attacks.

Among the targets was the Kirishi refinery. Ukraine’s drone command confirmed it struck Kirishi, calling the mission a “successful strike”.

Just a day earlier, another large oil refining complex belonging to Russian company Bashneft, located in Ufa (about 1,400 km from the Ukrainian border), was also attacked by Ukrainian drones. A fire broke out after one drone crashed into the plant, while another was shot down. The damage was described as minor, and there were no casualties.

Since its full‑scale invasion in February 2022, Russia has repeatedly had its energy infrastructure targeted by Ukraine. Attacks on refineries and pipelines are part of Kyiv’s strategy to reduce Russia’s ability to fund the war.

Meanwhile in recent weeks, the United States has increased pressure on NATO allies to strengthen energy sanctions against Russia, aiming to cut off its revenue streams and bring the war in Ukraine to an end — a conflict US President Donald Trump has so far struggled to resolve.

On Saturday, Trump said the US is ready to introduce new energy sanctions on Russia, but only if all NATO countries stop buying Russian oil and agree to enforce similar restrictions.

(With inputs from agencies)

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