Ukrainian forces reportedly strike Russia's second-largest oil refinery in overnight drone attack
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Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Ukrainian drones struck Russia's second-largest oil refinery in Kirishi, Leningrad Oblast, in an overnight attack, multiple Ukrainian monitoring channels reported on Nov. 9.
The attack caused large explosions at the oil site around 800 kilometers (roughly 500 miles) north of Ukraine, monitoring channels Exilenova+ and Supernova+ reported.
Eyewitness footage of the attacks appeared to show enormous fireballs emanating from the refinery, illuminating the night sky.
NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), which uses satellite data to detect thermal anomalies and fires, detected multiple hotspots at the facility.
Aleksandr Drozdenko, governor of the Leningrad Oblast, said that a total of 113 Ukrainian drones were shot down over the region during the attack.
The Kirishi Petroleum Organic Synthesis plant, also known as the Kinef plant, can produce 20 million metric tons of oil per year and is subject to Western sanctions against Russia enacted by Ukraine's allies, including measures imposed by the U.S. The facility produces more than 6% of Russia's total refined oil, including a wide range of petroleum products such as fuel that supports the country's armed forces.
Previously, Ukrainian drones targeted the refinery on Aug. 30.
On May 5, the Kirishi oil refinery temporarily halted processing on May 5 after Ukrainian drone strikes damaged three of its four crude distillation units.
The attacks come as Ukraine resumes strikes on Russia's energy infrastructure following a temporary halt urged by U.S. President Donald Trump. Senior Ukrainian officials confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that Kyiv never agreed to Trump's unilaterally imposed energy ceasefire with Russia on Oct. 31.
Russia has increased strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent weeks, causing widespread blackouts and water outages, as well as civilians deaths.
