A drone attack targeted the Kirishinefteorgsintez (KINEF) oil refinery in Russia’s Leningrad Oblast, approximately 800 kilometers from Ukraine, in the early hours of March 8. Regional officials confirmed the attack, marking another strike in a series of Ukrainian efforts to disrupt Russian supply lines and fuel logistics.
Escalating Drone Strikes on Russian Infrastructure
Ukraine has ramped up its long-range drone operations against Russian oil depots and refineries since early 2025. These attacks are part of Kyiv’s strategy to weaken Moscow’s military logistics and disrupt fuel supplies supporting its war effort. Throughout 2024, Ukrainian forces had consistently targeted strategic energy infrastructure within Russia, significantly increasing the scale and frequency of their operations in the new year.
Russian Air Defenses Respond
Leningrad Oblast Governor Alexander Drozdenko reported that Russian air defense units engaged the attacking drones near the oil refinery in Kirishsky District. According to his statement, one drone was intercepted before reaching the facility, while another was shot down over the refinery’s territory.
“During the fall of debris, the external structure of one of the reservoirs was damaged,” Drozdenko stated via Telegram, adding that no casualties were reported.
Russia’s Defense Ministry later claimed that a total of 31 drones were intercepted across four regions: 26 over Krasnodar Krai, three over Bryansk Oblast, and one each in Leningrad and Yaroslavl Oblasts. However, discrepancies emerged as Governor Drozdenko reported two drones were downed in Leningrad Oblast, contradicting the ministry’s official figures.
Impact on Aviation and Strategic Significance of Kirishinefteorgsintez
In response to the attack, Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency temporarily halted flights at St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport. The suspension was lifted after the immediate threat was deemed neutralized.
The Kirishinefteorgsintez refinery, located in the city of Kirishi, is Russia’s second-largest oil processing plant. It receives crude oil from distribution centers in Yaroslavl Oblast and processes Western Siberian and Volga-Ural oil. Operated by Surgutneftegaz, the refinery boasts an annual processing capacity of 20.1 million tons, making it one of Russia’s key energy assets.
Recent Drone Strikes on Russian Infrastructure
This attack follows a pattern of increased Ukrainian drone strikes on critical Russian energy infrastructure. On January 4, 2025, drones targeted Ust-Luga, Russia’s largest maritime commercial port on the Gulf of Finland. The port serves as a crucial hub for Russia’s raw material exports to Europe and global markets.
Geopolitical Ramifications
Ukraine’s strategy of targeting Russian oil refineries aligns with its broader objective of disrupting Moscow’s war economy. Analysts suggest that these strikes could further strain Russia’s ability to sustain its military operations in Ukraine while also impacting global energy markets.
As cross-border attacks intensify, the ongoing conflict continues to evolve, with both sides adapting their strategies to gain an upper hand. Given the strategic importance of facilities like Kirishinefteorgsintez, further escalations in drone warfare remain a distinct possibility.
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