# Ukrainian Drones Strike Russia's Second-Largest Oil Refinery Multiple drones targeted the Kirishi refinery, causing fires and disrupting regional infrastructure. - **Source:** [Rzeczpospolita](https://www.rp.pl) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f6582276-3fbc-4e78-a195-6fe10fb35515 ## Coordinated Strike on Kirishi Ukrainian forces launched a massive drone attack against the Kirishi refinery, located 100 kilometers southeast of Saint Petersburg. Governor Drozdenko reported drones approaching from multiple directions around 1:00 AM local time. Residents confirmed explosions and subsequent fires at the facility, which serves as the primary fuel supplier for the region. ## Operational Impact and Disruptions The attack forced the closure of Saint Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport and triggered mobile internet outages across the city. Debris from intercepted drones reportedly damaged residential buildings in Kirishi and Vsevolozhsk. While officials did not officially confirm the refinery strike, the facility’s critical role in regional fuel distribution remains severely compromised by the incident. ## Strategic Importance of Facility The Kirishi refinery is Russia’s second-largest, with a processing capacity of 20 million tons of oil annually, or 400,000 barrels per day. Owned by Surgutneftegaz, it is the only such facility in northwestern Russia. It previously ceased operations following a significant Ukrainian attack in late August due to the scale of damage. ## Sanctions and Corporate Context The Surgutneftegaz conglomerate, which operates the refinery, has been under strict international sanctions since 2025. The United States, European Union, and United Kingdom have all imposed restrictive measures on the company. These sanctions aim to limit the financial and operational capabilities of major Russian energy entities involved in the ongoing conflict. ## Diplomatic Timing of Attacks This strike occurred immediately before scheduled talks in Abu Dhabi between delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia. These discussions, set for November 10-11, coincide with international speculation regarding the potential for a swift end to the war, as suggested by Donald Trump in recent interviews with CBS News. ## Geopolitical Pressure on Energy Donald Trump has repeatedly urged Ukraine to cease targeting Russian refineries, citing global fuel price spikes, particularly for diesel. Ukraine has maintained a conditional stance, stating they would halt these strikes only if Russia stops attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure. This tit-for-tat strategy remains a central point of contention in current negotiations. ## Regional Security and Defense The intensity of the drone activity forced Russian authorities to acknowledge the presence of a large number of aerial vehicles over the Leningrad Oblast. The deployment of air defense systems in the vicinity of the refinery highlights the vulnerability of critical industrial assets to modern, low-cost asymmetric warfare tactics used by Ukraine. ## Future Implications for Conflict The recurrence of attacks on the Kirishi facility underscores the persistent nature of the energy war between the two nations. As diplomatic efforts intensify in Abu Dhabi, the ability of both sides to maintain or escalate these strikes will likely serve as a key leverage point in upcoming ceasefire or peace discussions. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.rp.pl/konflikty-zbrojne/art45462901-drony-nadlatuja-ze-wszystkich-stron-ukraincy-zaatakowali-druga-najwieksza-rafinerie-w-rosji — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._