Published 18 hours ago • loading... • Updated 13 hours ago
Ukrainian Drones Hit Novatek Complex Near Saint Petersburg in Deep Strike Operation
Ukraine’s military intelligence said the strike damaged key refining equipment and sparked a large fire at the plant, adding pressure to Russia’s fuel supply.
On September 1, operators from the Active Action Department and the Unmanned Systems Department of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine struck the Novatek-Ust-Luga complex in the Leningrad region of Russia.
Ukrainian forces struck Russian refineries at least 21 times last month, a record monthly frequency intended to disrupt domestic fuel production.
Defense intelligence reported the strike damaged key elements of the oil refining installation and technological equipment, igniting a large-scale fire at the plant.
Russia processed an average of just over 3.8 million barrels of crude per day in August, down from the 5.3 million to 5.5 million barrels typically processed during summer.
Gasoline output fell by nearly 20% year-on-year during the first three weeks of August, while diesel production dropped by more than 23%, creating growing shortages and queues.
The damaged complex directly fuels Russia's war against Ukraine. Ukrainian Defense Forces and special forces reconnaissance personnel successfully destroyed the Russian Novatek-Ust-Luga oil refinery complex in the Leningrad Region on September 1. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a statement from the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense. "On September 1, 2026, operators of the Active Operations Department and the Unman…