Drone strike sparks fire at major Russian oil refinery in Leningrad region

A drone attack triggered a fire overnight in the industrial zone of Kirishi, home to one of Russia’s largest oil refineries, according to regional authorities.

The governor of the Leningrad region said air defences shot down 18 unmanned aerial vehicles across the region during the night. Despite the interceptions, a fire broke out at an industrial site in Kirishi, prompting an emergency response, ASTRA reports. 

“Overnight, 18 enemy UAVs were shot down in the Leningrad region. A fire was reported in the industrial zone in Kirishi. Specialists from the Ministry of Emergency Situations and LENOBLPOSPAS have begun extinguishing the fire,” the governor wrote.

Kirishi hosts Kirishinefteorgsintez, the largest oil refinery in the region and one of the biggest in Russia. The facility produces gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, and a range of petrochemical products.

The ASTRA agency reported that the refinery has been repeatedly targeted in Ukrainian drone attacks, including incidents in March 2024, March 2025, October 2025, and most recently in March 2026.

By Sabina Mammadli