Kirishi, Leningrad Oblast, Northwestern Federal District, Russia

🇷🇺 Kirishi is a town and the administrative centre of Kirishsky District in Leningrad Oblast, Russia, located on the right bank of the Volkhov River, 115 km (71 mi) south-east of St. Petersburg.

In 1960, Kirishi was rebuilt and the Kirishi oil refinery was constructed. On February 1, 1963, the district was abolished and merged into Volkhovsky District but on January 12, 1965 it was re-established. Kirishi was granted town status and made the administrative centre of the district. On January 26, 1967, Kirishi became a town of oblast significance. In 2010, the administrative structure of Leningrad Oblast was harmonized with its municipal structure, and Kirishi became a town of district significance.

Economy In 1974, a "BVK" (belkovo-vitaminny kontsentrat, i.e., "protein-vitamin concentrate") production facility was constructed next to the oil refinery. This was the USSR Ministry of Microbiological Industry's second plant of this kind (after the one in Kstovo, opened in 1973). It used n-paraffins (byproducts of oil refining) as feedstock for yeast, which in its turn produced single-cell protein, used as poultry and cattle feed.

After a 1987 accident at the microbiological plant, mass protests forced the Supreme Soviet (1989) to close down the facility, as well as its seven sister plants throughout the Soviet Union.

Industry There are several oil refineries and chemical industry enterprises. The biggest of them is Kinef. Kirishi Power Station, a thermal power station, is located in Kirishi as well.

Kirishi is also planned to serve as the home of Russia's first residual oil high conversion refinery, the Kirishi-2 Oil Refinery, which is scheduled to open in 2017.

Transportation The railroad connecting Sonkovo and Mga passes through Kirishi. Another railway branches off north. It connects Kirishi with Tikhvin, which lies on the line connecting St. Petersburg and Vologda via Cherepovets.

Kirishi is connected by road with Volkhov and Chudovo. There are also local roads. The Volkhov River is navigable in Kirishi; however, there is no passenger navigation.