15 of Russia's 38 largest oil refineries taken offline, Ukrainian intelligence says
Ukraine's intelligence says 15 of Russia's 38 largest oil refineries were offline by late September 2026, while another 12 reduced output. Overall refinery throughput fell 55.4% from the start of the year, weakening Russia's ability to meet domestic fuel demand and export obligations simultaneously.
Key points
- 15 of 38 major Russian refineries were offline and 12 reduced output by late September 2026.
- Refinery throughput across the 38 plants fell 55.4% from the beginning of 2026.
- Five affected plants account for about 33% of Russia's total oil-refining capacity.
- Six distant refineries processed 906,000 barrels per day in September, nearly 24% of Russian refining.
- Ukrainian strikes reportedly caused the Russian economy more than $23.2 billion in losses.
- Russia's oil-industry revenue totaled $26.6 billion in 2025.
- A Russian decree dated September 28 limits access to refinery-output data.
Why it matters
The loss of refining capacity is significant because the five plants disrupted by shutdowns account for about 33% of Russian oil-refining output. The damage also weakens Moscow's ability to supply the domestic fuel market and meet export commitments at the same time, while the reported $23.2 billion loss nearly equals the oil industry's total revenue in 2025.
What happened
Ukraine's intelligence reports that by late September 2026, 15 of Russia's 38 largest oil refineries had been taken out of operation and another 12 had reduced production. Total throughput at those 38 plants fell 55.4% compared with the beginning of 2026. The shutdowns affected Slavneft-YANOS, Kirshineftegazsintez, Ryazan Oil Refining Company, Gazprom Neft-Moscow Refinery and Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez. Together, these five plants represented about 33% of Russian refining output.
Six refineries in distant regions continued operating and processed 906,000 barrels per day in September, 147,000 barrels more than at the beginning of the year. They accounted for nearly 24% of Russia's refining, temporarily offsetting part of the fuel deficit. However, their location and a shortage of railway rolling stock and road tankers constrain the delivery of products.
A Russian presidential decree dated September 28 also restricts access to information about refinery output, making independent monitoring more difficult and potentially contributing to the spread of inaccurate production data.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian sources attribute the reduction in refining capacity and the associated economic losses to strikes by Ukraine's Defense Forces on Russian oil-industry infrastructure. Their reporting focuses on the scale of the shutdowns, the resulting decline in processing, shortages of transport infrastructure, and Russia's reduced ability to meet domestic and export obligations. They also portray restrictions on refinery-output data as an obstacle to independent monitoring and the spread of inaccurate information.
Background
Russia began importing fuel from other countries through so-called gray schemes to circumvent international sanctions. Repairs and maintenance of damaged facilities are complicated by sanctions and the high cost of required equipment. Replacement of damaged refinery equipment could cost more than $20 billion, while production at distant refineries may decline in 2027 as planned 2026 maintenance is rescheduled.