MOSCOW — In one of the largest aerial offensives of the war, Ukraine launched at least 361 drones overnight, striking deep inside Russia and igniting a brief fire at the massive Kirishi oil refinery in the country’s northwest, Russian officials confirmed Sunday.
The attack comes as global powers debate how to end the deadliest European conflict since World War II, even as the drone war intensifies. In recent days, Russian drones have been shot down over NATO-member Poland, while Ukraine continues its campaign against Russian oil facilities and pipelines—vital to the world’s second-biggest oil exporter.
Russia Responds, But Fire Breaks Out
Russia’s defense ministry claimed its air defenses shot down hundreds of drones, along with four guided bombs and a U.S.-made HIMARS missile. But it offered no full details on where the attacks landed.
Officials confirmed that Surgutneftegaz’s Kirishinefteorgsintez refinery—one of Russia’s top two oil refineries—was among the key targets.
Alexander Drozdenko, governor of the Leningrad region, said three drones were destroyed in the Kirishi area, but falling debris sparked a blaze at the refinery. Firefighters quickly contained it, and no injuries were reported.
Ukraine’s drone command, however, declared the mission a success, confirming it had directly targeted the refinery.
Kirishi is a cornerstone of Russia’s oil industry, refining 355,000 barrels per day—about 6.4% of the country’s total crude output. The extent of the damage remains unclear, with Reuters unable to verify reports on the scale of the strike.
Energy War Heats Up
The attacks strike at the heart of a mounting energy battle. The U.S. has been urging NATO allies to tighten sanctions on Russian oil, aiming to choke Moscow’s war revenues.
President Donald Trump said Saturday that the U.S. is prepared to impose new energy sanctions, but stressed they would only be effective if all NATO members cut Russian oil purchases.
Meanwhile, the European Union reaffirmed its 2028 deadline to phase out Russian oil and gas imports, resisting U.S. pressure to move faster.
Moscow Flexes Military Might
In a show of force, Russia said Sunday it fired a Zircon hypersonic cruise missile into the Barents Sea, while Su-34 fighter-bombers launched strikes during joint exercises with Belarus.
Separately, officials in Bashkortostan confirmed another oil facility had come under drone attack Saturday. But the regional governor insisted production would not be disrupted.
The Bigger Picture
The strike on Kirishi highlights Ukraine’s growing reliance on drones to chip away at Russia’s economic lifeline—its vast energy sector. For Kyiv, every successful hit is more than a tactical victory; it is a symbolic message that Russia’s war machine is not untouchable.
