6% of Russians Now Call for Peace Talks (Video)

(LENINGRAD OBLAST, RUSSIA) – Ukraine has struck Russia’s second largest oil refinery in Leningrad Oblast, setting it ablaze in a drone attack that highlights Kyiv’s ability to target energy infrastructure deep inside Russian territory.

The strike, carried out on the night of 13 September, hit the Kirishi oil refinery located around 810 kilometres from the Ukrainian border and just southeast of St Petersburg. The facility produces more than 20 million tonnes of oil products annually, making it one of Russia’s most critical energy sites.

The attack follows a wider campaign of Ukrainian drone strikes that has targeted at least 12 Russian refineries in recent weeks. Kyiv has also disrupted Russia’s Baltic Sea oil terminal at Primorsk, forcing its first-ever shutdown. The terminal normally handles about $100 million worth of oil exports daily, much of which is shipped to India and China.

Ukraine’s strikes have extended beyond refineries to fuel pumping stations and railway routes, cutting supply lines that feed the capital Moscow. Videos released by Russian authorities show Ukrainian drones hitting fuel depots and transport hubs, underlining Kyiv’s intent to reduce both military fuel supplies and export revenues for the Kremlin.

Estimates suggest that around 25 to 30 per cent of Russia’s refining capacity is now offline. The cumulative effect of these attacks has already caused visible fuel shortages in at least ten regions across Russia. Moscow, however, has attempted to downplay the situation, blaming “holiday travel demand” for the disruptions at filling stations.

Russian Public Opinion Shifting
A new poll by the independent Levada Center indicates that public sentiment is turning against dictator Vladimir Putin’s war. The survey shows that 66 per cent of Russians want peace talks to begin, compared with only 27 per cent who support continuing the conflict.

The poll is striking given the risks of openly criticising the war inside Russia. Respondents cited the deaths of relatives and friends, injuries, emotional stress, and worsening economic conditions as major factors.

Ukraine’s Strategy
Officials in Kyiv describe these strikes as “kinetic sanctions” designed to deprive Russia of both military fuel and export income. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that “the Russian war machine will only stop when it runs out of fuel”.

Before 2022, most of Russia’s Baltic oil exports were shipped to Europe. Following Western sanctions, Moscow redirected flows to Asia, but long-distance routes via the Arctic or around Africa remain costly. Around half of Russia’s oil exports still leave via St Petersburg, leaving them vulnerable to further attacks.

NATO Tensions
The drone strikes have coincided with incidents of Russian drones entering NATO airspace. Poland and Romania scrambled fighter jets in response to multiple incursions this week, prompting heightened air defence readiness across Eastern Europe.

Trump’s Remarks
Meanwhile, US leader Donald Trump has drawn criticism after suggesting he would only sanction Russia if all NATO members first stopped purchasing Russian oil and gas. Analysts note that such conditions are unlikely ever to be met, raising questions about Trump’s willingness to pressure Moscow.

Impact on Russia’s Military
Ukraine has also stepped up attacks on Russian logistics beyond the energy sector, including railway fuel cars and chemical plants believed to supply the military. Observers say the strikes are part of a broader effort to restrict Russia’s capacity to sustain large-scale operations in Ukraine.

With battlefield advances limited and casualties mounting, analysts argue that Kyiv is focusing on Russia’s economic and energy backbone to weaken its war effort.

Recent Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Energy Facilities

The pressure is mounting on Russia’s leadership, with both the economy and public opinion increasingly strained by the war. Whether Moscow can maintain its current military pace while fuel supplies dwindle remains uncertain.