Zelenskyy: Major Russian refinery shuts down after Ukrainian drone strikes

According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a major Russian oil refinery in Kstovo, situated in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, has ceased operations due to Ukrainian drone strikes. This revelation came after Zelenskyy received a briefing from the Head of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate, Oleh Ivashchenko, on August 28.

The president noted that intelligence suggests Russian exports of certain categories plummeted by 80% in August alone. Zelenskyy pointed out that these losses are significant, affecting both Russia's federal budget and regional budgets that are already struggling. He further stated that Ukraine's attacks have effectively limited Russia's Black Sea Fleet ships to Novorossiysk, preventing them from operating at sea.

Zelenskyy emphasized that military intelligence has confirmed the high effectiveness of Ukraine's deep strikes. Following a string of attacks on the Kamensky Combine in Rostov Oblast, Russia experienced a notable reduction in its capacity for producing solid-fuel rocket engines. The Ukrainian drones also targeted the Kstovo refinery overnight on August 26, leading to a substantial fire.

Previously, Ukraine had launched attacks on the Kstovo refinery on May 18 and May 20, 2026. The second strike particularly damaged the AVT-6 primary oil refining unit, after which the refinery temporarily halted operations. The Ukrainian General Staff has confirmed that the AVT-6 unit was indeed hit during this strike.