Ukrainian drones point to one from Russia

One of the largest oil refineries in Russia was hit by Ukrainian Drones, causing a fire on Sunday, Russian and military officials of Ukraine said.

The strike on the Kirishi refinery, in the Leningrad region in northwestern Russia, follows weeks of the Ukrainian attacks against Russian oil infrastructure that kyiv says that it feeds the Moscow war effort. The installation, operated by Russian Petroleum Surgutneftegas, produces approximately 17.7 million metric tons of crude oil per year, equivalent to approximately 355,000 barrels per day, and is one of the three main oil producers in Russia for production.

According to Ukraine general personnel, explosions and a fire in the refinery were reported. He published a photo that appeared to show a fire and clouds of smoke against a night sky.

The Ukraine drone command confirmed that he attacked the refinery and said he had “carried out a successful strike.”

Regional governor Alexander Drozdenko said that three drones were shot down during the night in the Kirishi area, with debris that fall a fire in the facilities. He said that no one was injured and that the fire was extinguished.

Russian officials did not immediately comment on the consequences of the strike. At least 80 Ukrainian drones were shot down over the night on Russia, they occupied Crimea and the adjacent sea of ​​Azov, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

Russia remains the second largest oil exporter in the world, but a seasonal increase in demand and attacks by sustained Ukrainian drones have caused gasoline shortage in recent weeks. To try to relieve scarcity, Russia has arrested gasoline exports, and officials declared a complete prohibition until September 30 and a partial prohibition that affects merchants and intermediaries until October 31.

On Saturday, President Trump asked NATO countries to stop buying Russian oil as a way to finish the war of more than three years in Ukraine.

Trump published in Truth Social on Saturday a letter supposedly sent to NATO in which he said he is “ready to make important sanctions on Russia” on the condition that all NATO countries stop buying Russian oil. The president said that the commitment of the military alliance to win the war in Ukraine “has been much less than 100%” and the purchase of Russian oil by some members is “shocking.”

“It must greatly weaken its negotiation and negotiation power position on Russia,” Trump wrote.

Since 2023, NATO Turkey member has been the third largest buyer of Russian oil, after China and India, according to the Clean Energy and Air Research Center with headquarters in Europe. Other members of the alliance of 32 states involved in the purchase of Russian oil include Hungary and Slovakia.

Meanwhile, the European Union adheres to its deadline to eliminate the elimination of Russian oil and gas imports by 2028, decided last week, despite the pressure of the United States to move more quickly, Reuters reported.

Drones have become a key weapon for both sides. Multiple Russian drones crossed Poland on Wednesday, which led NATO to send combat planes to tear them down and underline long -date concerns that the fight could spill beyond the borders of Ukraine.

On Saturday, the Secretary of State of the United States, Marco Rubio, told journalists that NATO responded to drones “appropriately” and that the United States believes it was an “unacceptable, unfortunate and dangerous development.”

“There is no doubt that drones were launched intentionally,” he said. “The question is whether the drones were aimed at going to Poland specifically. If that is the case, that if the evidence takes us there, then, that will be a very explanatory movement.”

• Ukraine
• Russia