(KYIV) – Ukrainian forces struck the Kirishi oil refinery in Leningrad Oblast, one of Russia’s largest refining facilities, for the third time this year, as fuel shortages continue to spread across the Russian federation.
The refinery processes 20 million tonnes of crude oil annually and is located near the Estonian border. The strike occurred overnight on 30th August 2026, with footage showing distillation towers and cracking units burning with bright flames. NASA FIRMS data confirmed fires at multiple points within the facility.
A local resident filmed the aftermath, commenting that explosions had been heard since 3:30 a.m. and that an air defence unit positioned near the refinery appeared to be facing the wrong direction.
“Air defence unit is sitting there turned facing some other direction,” the resident said. “Now fuel problems are going to start.”
The Kirishi refinery has been struck three times this year. Previous strikes on 5th May and 25th March were followed by repair efforts, but Ukrainian forces have continued to target the facility. Western sanctions prevent Russia from importing replacement distillation units from Europe, leaving China as the primary alternative supplier with extended delivery timelines.
The strike comes as fuel queues worsen across Russia. In St Petersburg, where the Kirishi refinery supplies much of the region’s fuel, shortages had not yet reached the severity seen in Moscow and other areas. However, residents now anticipate further deterioration.
On the same day, Ukrainian HIMARS missiles struck the Belgorod thermal and electrical power plant, a combined facility that produces electricity and supplies excess heat to the local heating grid. The strike was confirmed by footage showing the impact and subsequent fire.
A second target in Belgorod was an Ozon sorting station housed in a converted Soviet era building. Employees were evacuated and preliminary reports indicate injuries. The company suspended deliveries, customer orders and seller intake across the Belgorod region until logistics routes can be rebuilt.
Ukrainian drones also struck three military airfields on 30th August: one in Crimea, one in Yeysk on the Sea of Azov coast and one in Millerovo. Satellite imagery from Yeysk showed burning marks on the field next to the airfield. Locals reported secondary explosions lasting for hours, indicating ammunition stores had been hit. Footage from the Yeysk airfield showed violent explosions consistent with fuel and ammunition fires, with a military aircraft visible on the ground nearby.
In Anapa, a resort city on Russia’s Black Sea coast, massive wildfires continued for a second day. The fires have spread through urbanised areas, threatening homes and vehicles. Firefighting efforts have been hampered by severe staff shortages, as many firefighters have left to join the Russian military for higher pay.
The fires have blocked highways and forced residents to attempt to move their vehicles away from the flames. Tourists from across Russia who travelled to Anapa for summer holidays have encountered apocalyptic scenes, with large hotels surrounded by smoke and flames.
On 31st August, Ukrainian drones reached Yekaterinburg, located 1,700 kilometres from Ukraine. The drones targeted a Wildberries logistics facility for the third time. Previous attempts were disrupted by electronic warfare, causing drones to hit a parking lot instead of the warehouse. This latest attempt again resulted in strikes on the parking lot rather than the main facility.
The repeated failure to destroy the Yekaterinburg Wildberries warehouse suggests Russian electronic warfare capabilities at this location are more effective than at other sites. However, the facility remains one of the few major Wildberries warehouses still operational, and Ukrainian forces are expected to continue attempts to destroy it.
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