Ukrainian drones strike one of Russia’s best oil refineries, triggering fire

Ukrainian drones struck one of Russia’s largest oil refineries overnight, causing a fire, according to Russian officials and the Ukrainian army.

The Kirishihihi refinery strike in the Northwestern region of Leningrad in Russia follows weeks of Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure which, according to kyiv, says that the food of the Moscow War. The installation, operated by the large Russian oil and gas company, Surgutneftegas, produced nearly 17.7 million tonnes per year (355,000 barrels per day) in Brut and is one of the first three of Russia by production.

More than three years since the large -scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, drones have become a key weapon for both parties. On Wednesday, several Russian drones crossed Poland, which prompted NATO to send fighter planes to shoot them down and highlight the long-standing concerns that the fighting could manage beyond the borders of Ukraine.

According to the general staff of the Ukrainian armed forces, explosions and a fire have been reported in the Kirishi refinery. He posted a photo that has appeared to show a fire and clouds of smoke against a night sky.

Regional governor Alexander Drozdenko said three drones had been killed overnight in the Kirishi region, falling debris triggering a fire in the installation. He said that no one was injured and the fire had been extinguished.

Russian officials did not immediately comment on the consequences of the strike. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, at least 80 Ukrainian drones were slaughtered overnight, the Crimea and the adjacent sea of ​​Azov occupied.

Russia remains the second largest oil exporter in the world, but a seasonal increase in demand and sustained Ukrainian drone strikes have caused petrol shortages in recent weeks.

The service stations were dry in certain regions of the country, motorists were waiting in long lines and officials using rationing or reduction of sales.

To try to facilitate shortage, Russia has interrupted petrol exports, those responsible declaring a complete ban on Wednesday until September 30 and a partial prohibition affecting traders and intermediaries until October 31.

Look | Trump calls on NATO to impose steep prices in Russian oil:

US President Donald Trump calls on NATO members to impose sanctions on Russia

NATO launched Operation Eastern Sentry to strengthen its presence along the eastern flank of Europe, after Russian drones were found in Poland on Wednesday. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump calls on all members of the treaty to increase economic pressures on Russia and that some cease to buy the country’s oil.

Adding to the misfortunes of Russia to export oil, American president Donald Trump published a letter to NATO countries on Saturday, saying that he thought that war would end if they stopped buying Russia oil and began to place 50 to 100% tariffs on China for its Russian oil purchases.

In a few hours, Beijing answered Trump’s call saying that the Chinese Foreign Minister said that the country did not participate in wars or plot them.

Mortal incidents along Russian rails

Still in the Leningrad region, a diesel locomotive derailed overnight, the local governor said Drozdenko on Sunday. The region surrounds but does not include Saint Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia.

Drozdenko said the driver of the locomotive was trapped in his cabin and later died of his injuries when he was transported to hospital. An official survey would check signs of sabotage, he said.

In addition, a bomb planted along the railways of the Oryol region in Russia killed three people, according to reports from the local governor, Andrey Klychkov. He said the victims inspected the track and that he identified one as a member of the National Guard of Russia.

According to Klychkov articles, published late Saturday and Sunday, the incident occurred near the city of Maloarkhangelsk, about 200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Russian officials did not immediately comment on the cause.