Ukrainian drone strikes cut Russian oil-refining capacity by about 30%
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries since late October reportedly reduced Russia's oil-refining capacity by about 30%. The disruption affected major plants and contributed to renewed fuel shortages, retail restrictions and limits on Russian fuel exports.
Key points
- Russian oil-refining capacity fell by about 30% after Ukrainian drone attacks since late October.
- Nine of Russia's 35 largest refineries were disrupted during the latest week.
- The affected refineries have a combined nominal capacity of about 300,000 metric tons, or 2.2 million barrels, per day.
- Russia's total primary oil-refining capacity is about 930,000 metric tons per day.
- The actual decline in crude-oil processing may reach 200,000 metric tons per day.
- Ukrainian forces attacked the Kirishi refinery, Russia's second-largest, overnight on November 9.
- Fuel shortages returned in at least six Russian regions, prompting retail sales restrictions.
Why it matters
The strikes have removed a significant share of Russia's primary refining capacity and disrupted major plants in Ryazan, Yaroslavl, the Volga region and Kirishi. The resulting decline in crude-oil processing, potentially as much as 200,000 metric tons per day, has been linked with fuel shortages, restrictions at filling stations and tighter controls on Russian fuel exports.
What happened
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries since late October reportedly reduced the country's refining capacity by about 30%. During the latest week, attacks disrupted nine of Russia's 35 largest refineries, whose combined nominal capacity is about 300,000 metric tons, or 2.2 million barrels, per day. Ukrainian intelligence said 15 of 38 major Russian refineries had been taken out of service. The actual reduction in crude processing may reach 200,000 metric tons per day.
Ukrainian forces resumed attacks after October 30, when the energy ceasefire announced by Donald Trump between Kyiv and Moscow did not take effect. Overnight on November 9, they attacked the Kirishi refinery, Russia's second-largest. Reuters reported that fuel shortages had returned in at least six regions following attacks on eight large refineries over the preceding two weeks. Filling stations introduced limits on gasoline and diesel sales, while some regions prohibited fuel sales in canisters. Russia had already restricted fuel sales and exports because of earlier attacks and shortages.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reports emphasize the scale of the strike campaign, the roughly 30% reduction in Russian refining capacity, damage to individual plants and Ukrainian intelligence's assessment that 15 of 38 major refineries had been taken out of operation. They also foreground the resumption of attacks after October 30 and the strike on the Kirishi refinery.
How international sources describe it
International reporting, drawing on Reuters sources, focuses on the estimated effect on Russian refining and crude processing. It highlights disruptions at major refineries, fuel shortages across multiple regions, retail restrictions and Russia's pre-existing controls on fuel exports.
Where reporting differs
Reports differ on the number of major refineries disrupted: one report says nine of the 35 largest refineries were affected during the latest week, while another cites attacks on eight large refineries over the preceding two weeks.
Background
Before the late-October attacks, Russian refineries processed about 700,000 metric tons, or 5 million barrels, of crude oil per day. Their total reported primary refining capacity was approximately 930,000 metric tons per day. Russia had already restricted fuel sales and exports because of earlier attacks and fuel shortages.