A Ukrainian drone attack set fire to Russia's second-largest oil refinery in Kirishi, Leningrad Oblast, overnight. Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko said 113 drones were downed and one woman was killed by falling debris.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
A Ukrainian drone attack hit Russia's second-largest oil refinery in Kirishi, Leningrad Oblast, overnight on Nov. 9, regional governor Aleksandr Drozdenko confirmed.
Fire erupted on the territory of the refinery after the Ukrainian drone strike but has since been extinguished, according to Drozdenko. The attack caused large explosions at the site about 800 kilometers (about 500 miles) north of Ukraine, multiple Ukrainian monitoring channels, including Exilenova+ and Supernova+, reported. NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), which uses satellite data to detect thermal anomalies and fires, detected multiple hotspots at the facility.
Drozdenko said that a total of 113 Ukrainian drones were shot down over the region during the attack. Debris from a Ukrainian drone fell on an apartment building in the town of Vsevolozhsk, killing a woman, the governor added.
The Kirishi Petroleum Organic Synthesis plant, also known as the Kinef plant, can produce 20 million metric tons of oil per year and is subject to Western sanctions against Russia enacted by Ukraine's allies, including measures imposed by the U.S. The facility produces more than 6% of Russia's total refined oil, including a wide range of petroleum products such as fuel used by the country's armed forces.
Ukrainian drones targeted the refinery previously on Aug. 30. On May 5, the Kirishi oil refinery temporarily halted processing after Ukrainian drone strikes damaged three of its four crude distillation units.
The attacks come as Ukraine resumes strikes on Russia's energy infrastructure following a temporary halt urged by U.S. President Donald Trump. Senior Ukrainian officials confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that Kyiv never agreed to Trump's unilaterally imposed energy ceasefire with Russia on Oct. 31.
Russia has increased strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent weeks, causing widespread blackouts and water outages, as well as civilians deaths.
The Kirishi refinery produces more than 6% of Russia's total refined oil, including fuel used by the country's armed forces. The facility is subject to Western sanctions, including measures imposed by the U.S. The attack is part of Ukraine's resumed campaign against Russian energy infrastructure, while Russia has intensified strikes on Ukraine's energy system, causing power cuts and water disruptions.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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