Bogdan Frolov06:45, 06.05.26
Ukraine damaged critically important installations, without which the operation of the enterprise is impossible.
As part of an increase in long-range UAV attacks, Ukraine has been striking Russia’s oil industry over the past two months – from pipelines and ports to refineries and tankers – in an attempt to undermine Russia’s billions of dollars in military spending.
As a result, it became known that Russia’s second largest oil refinery, Kirishi, suspended processing after three of its four primary oil refining units (CDUs) were damaged as a result of Ukrainian drone attacks, Reuters writes .
Leningrad Region Governor Alexander Drozdenko said the Kirishi oil refinery, officially known as Kirishinefteorgsintez, was targeted and that a fire had broken out in the industrial zone of the city of Kirishi. Two sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the drone attack damaged three of the refinery’s four primary oil processing units.
CDU units are a fundamental part of any oil refinery, and without them the refinery cannot operate, the journalists note.
Details of the attack on the Kirish refinery
Russia calls such attacks terrorism. Ukraine emphasizes that it is defending itself in this way. The Kirish refinery, located about 800 km from the Ukrainian border, has reportedly been attacked several times this year by Ukrainian drones.
Sources explained that it is difficult to estimate the time needed to repair the damaged installations, adding that several secondary installations were also affected.
The plant has a capacity of 20 million metric tons. In recent years, it has processed about 18 million tons annually, which is about 7% of Russia’s oil refining capacity. The plant is one of the key suppliers of diesel fuel to the domestic market and for export.
(C)UNIAN 2026