Ukrainian drones have attacked the Kirishi oil refinery in northwestern Russia, one of the country’s largest, sparking a fire when the debris from the downed drone fell, Russian officials said on Sunday.
As major powers discuss how to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, the drone war is heating up with the downing of Russian drones in NATO member Poland and attacks by Ukraine on oil refineries and pipelines in Russia, the world’s second-largest oil exporter.
The Surgutneftegaz refinery, Kirishinefteorgsintez, one of Russia’s two largest refineries, was attacked by Ukrainian drones, Russian officials said.
Alexander Drozdenko, the governor of the Leningrad region, said three drones had been destroyed in the Kirishi area and that a fire caused by falling debris had been extinguished. He said no one was injured.
Ukraine’s drone command confirmed it had attacked the refinery and said it had “carried out a successful attack”.
Reuters could not immediately confirm the extent of damage, if any, to the refinery.
Kirishi processes about 17.7 million metric tons per year (355,000 barrels per day) of Russian crude, or 6.4% of the country’s total.
