Defense Forces struck Russia's Novatek complex near St. Petersburg

Ukraine's Defense Forces, together with special units of military intelligence, on the night of September 1 struck the Russian complex "Novatek-Ust-Luga" in Leningrad Oblast. A major fire broke out at the facility, the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported.

The operation involved operators from the Active Measures Department and the Unmanned Systems Department of the GUR, jointly with other components of the Defense Forces.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, the strike hit key elements of the raw material processing unit and technological equipment at the facility. The extent of the damage and possible timelines for restoring production are not yet specified.

The complex is located in the port of Ust-Luga on the Baltic Sea. "Novatek" uses it to process stable gas condensate into light and heavy naphtha, kerosene, diesel fraction, and components of marine fuel, as well as for further sea export shipments.

According to the company's own data, in 2025 the facility processed 7.986 million tons of stable gas condensate — 8.5% more than the year before. Thus, it is one of Russia's major oil and gas processing and export logistics facilities.

Ust-Luga has already been a target of Ukrainian strikes. In particular, on August 14, the Defense Forces reported an attack on the same complex. Then, according to preliminary data from the Ukrainian side, two technological units were hit and a fire also broke out.

Russian authorities on the morning of September 1 also reported a drone attack on the Ust-Luga area and a fire on the territory of the port zone. Information on the full scale of the strike's consequences is currently being clarified.

According to materials from: GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine