On the orders of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as part of a 40-day operation to exert pressure on russia, the Security Service of Ukraine, together with the Special Operations Forces, the Unmanned Systems Forces and the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, carried out a successful strike on the Nizhny Novgorod Oil Refinery and the Starolikeevo Linear Production and Dispatch Station in Kstovo in the Nizhny Novgorod oblast of russia. The distance to the target was 850 kilometres.

Enemy air defence systems were operating actively in the Kstovo area during the night, after which a series of explosions was heard near the oil refinery and the Starolikeevo production and dispatch station. At least two fires were reported in the industrial zone of these facilities.

The Nizhny Novgorod Oil Refinery is one of the largest in russia. It produces petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and other petroleum products, a significant proportion of which are used to supply the russian army. The Starolikeevo installation is a key hub in the main petroleum product pipeline network, through which fuel is transported to central russia.

Each oil refinery, oil depot or oil pumping station that is attacked reduces the enemy’s fuel supply and directly diminishes their ability to wage war. In contrast to russia, which strikes residential buildings and kills innocent Ukrainians, the Security Service only targets facilities that serve russia’s military-industrial complex.