Ukrainian intelligence confirms strike on Nizhny Novgorod oil refinery in Russia

On the night of January 29, Russian authorities reported a large-scale attack by Ukrainian drones targeting nine regions within the Russian Federation. Notably, a series of explosions were heard in the Nizhny Novgorod region, attributed to a drone strike on an oil refinery in the city of Kstovo. Ukrainian intelligence confirmed that all four drones successfully hit their targets.

The Russian Defense Ministry, the Governor of the Tver region, Igor Rudenya, and the Governor of the Bryansk region, Alexander Bogomaz, Russian Telegram channels, OBOZ.UA sources in military intelligence, and the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Gleb Nikitin, reported this.

In the morning, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that 104 Ukrainian UAVs were allegedly shot down over the territory of the Russian Federation. In particular:

• 47 drones were allegedly destroyed over the Kursk region,
• 27 over the Bryansk region,
• 11 over the Smolensk region,
• seven over the Tver region,
• four over the Belgorod region,
• three each over the Nizhny Novgorod and Kaluga regions,
• one each over the Rostov and Leningrad regions of the Russian Federation.

It is worth noting that the governor of the Tver region, Igor Rudenya, counted as many as 29 drones shot down over the area.

Alexander Bogomaz, the governor of the Bryansk region, stated that 33 drones were destroyed over the area. According to his account, the Russian Ministry of Defense air defenses intercepted 27 UAVs, while special forces from the Rosgvardia department allegedly shot down an additional six.

Russian Telegram channels reported that the "Kovyor" plan [closed sky mode – ed.] was introduced due to the drone attack at the Kazan airport. In addition, temporary restrictions were imposed on the operation of Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg.

Nizhny Novgorod region

Governor Nikitin reported that only the debris from a downed drone landed "on the territory of one of the enterprises in the Kstovsky Industrial Zone," which led to a "fire."

However, photos and videos published on social networks show a large fire at the oil refinery.

The drone attack marked another attempt to target a strategic facility within Russia's industrial sector. The plant was attacked in March 2024 when drones damaged one of its oil refining units.

A source within Ukraine's intelligence confirmed that scouts successfully attacked the Lukoil oil depot in Kstovo last night. The facility, which supports the activities of Russian occupation forces, was targeted around midnight local time.

Residents of Kstovo reported on social media that they heard "at least three" explosions at the enterprise.

Intelligence assures that all four drones aimed at this facility accurately hit the oil depot.

Intelligence sources indicated that the oil depot experienced considerable damage due to the attack. This is corroborated by footage of a large-scale fire at the facility that appeared on Russian social media.

For reference:

It should be noted that the LUKOIL-Nizhegorodnaftoorgsintez oil refinery is located in Kstovo, and chemical enterprises and a thermal power plant are located next to it in the industrial zone.

Moreover, the attack on the Ryazan oil refinery in Russia, which took place on the night of January 26, was carried out by units of the Ukrainian Forces of Unmanned Systems and the Main Intelligence Directorate.

As reported, on the night of January 24, 11 regions of the Russian Federation, Moscow, and the temporarily occupied Crimea were attacked by 121 drones. Among the targets of the attack was an oil refinery in the Ryazan region.

Later, the General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces confirmed that drones of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Special Operations Forces, in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces, struck the production facilities of the Ryazan Oil Refining Company and the Kremniy El microelectronics plant in Bryansk.