“Night Cotton” in Leningrad Region: SBU Strike Causing Huge Losses to Russia
25 August 19:49
ANALYSIS FROM 
On the night of August 24, Ukrainian long-range drones with the participation of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Special Operations Forces carried out a targeted attack on one of Russia’s most important energy facilities, a gas processing complex in the port of Ust-Luga, Leningrad Region.
According to preliminary reports, the attack targeted a plant of Novatek, the largest liquefied natural gas producer in Russia. As a result of the hit, a massive explosion occurred at the plant, which was followed by a large-scale fire.
Open source intelligence (OSINT) analysts confirm that the attack targeted the cryogenic fractionation unit, a key element of production that is the “heart” of the entire complex.
This is the second successful strike by Ukrainian drones on Ust-Luga since the beginning of the year – the first attack took place in early January, and critical energy facilities were also damaged.
Russia is on the verge of a fuel crisis: the government calls for “walking” and gasoline prices are soaring
Amidst the attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in various regions of Russia, the country is experiencing a rapid rise in fuel prices. Russian media report that gasoline prices have risen by 8-15%.
The Russian government is urging citizens not to panic and to choose walking whenever possible, recognizing that the situation is complicated by both the destruction of oil refineries and the lack of fuel in some regions.
Syzran refinery under attack: a new attack on the enemy’s fuel and energy infrastructure
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine also confirmed another targeted operation of Ukrainian drones – the Syzran Oil Refinery in the Samara region was targeted. The enterprise specializes in the production of gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation kerosene, and other products that are actively used by the Russian army at the front.
“The defense forces inflicted fire damage on the enemy’s fuel and energy infrastructure,” the General Staff said in a statement.
“The destruction of the Syzran refinery is part of a systematic campaign to reduce the enemy’s logistical and technical capabilities to supply the war with fuel.
Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s fuel and energy infrastructure are not only tactical but also strategic. This was stated by Mykola Malomuzh, General of the Ukrainian Army and former head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, in a commentary for [Komersant ].
According to Malomuzh, strikes on facilities that supply fuel to the army disrupt Russia’s key military processes:
“First of all, these are the facilities that provide the army with fuel – aircraft, armored vehicles, ships, missile systems, drones. Without fuel, it cannot fly, maneuver, or fire. Therefore, these strikes are actually depriving the enemy of an offensive resource.
He emphasized that fuels and lubricants are a critical component of the army’s logistics, without which the army loses mobility and firepower.
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Up to 18% of refinery capacity has already been destroyed
Malomuzh cited specific figures for the recent losses of Russian fuel infrastructure:
“For example, the Syzran refinery accounts for about 3% of total fuel production in Russia. The day before, two more refineries were hit. In total, up to 7%. And if we take into account the series of strikes in recent weeks, we are talking about neutralizing up to 18% of the capacity.
The general emphasizes that strikes on refineries are not only a military operation, but also a lever of pressure on the enemy’s economy. Malomuzh paid special attention to the strike on the gas complex in the port of Ust-Luga:
“This is one of the system centers for liquefied gas processing. It provides not only domestic consumption – including for the army – but also critical exports. Gas goes to China, India, even some European countries that declare support for Ukraine but continue to buy Russian gas.
The destruction of this particular facility, according to Malomuzh, is a blow to the Kremlin’s finances.
These are hundreds of millions of dollars or euros every month that go to finance the war. In annual terms, it is already billions. That is, we are not just destroying infrastructure, we are undermining the financial sources for continuing the aggression.
The general concludes: such strikes are not random operations, but a well-thought-out systemic strategy that simultaneously deprives the Russian army of resources, puts pressure on the economy and creates internal social tension:
The Russian population is already feeling the fuel shortages. This is not only a war on the frontline, it is a comprehensive depletion of the enemy at all levels.
Thus, the strikes on Ust-Luga, the Syzran refinery and other Russian energy facilities have already turned from tactical operations into a strategic campaign line designed to systematically bleed the Russian military machine. By depriving the enemy of fuel, Ukraine not only complicates logistics, but also paralyzes mobility, slows down the pace of offensives, and takes thousands of pieces of equipment out of play. The energy front is becoming no less important than the artillery front.
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