Zelensky says Ukraine has halted over 55% of Russian oil refining capacity
President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an evening address on 15 November that Ukraine has halted more than 55% of Russia’s oil refining capacity. He presented the strikes on Russian refineries as a response to Moscow’s refusal to de-escalate and its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Ukrainian military reporting cited strikes on at least nine refineries, including all five of Russia’s largest plants, while Reuters reported an approximately 30% reduction in refining capacity and fuel shortages in at least six Russian regions.
Key points
- Zelensky said on 15 November that Ukraine had halted more than 55% of Russian oil refining capacity.
- The General Staff said strikes beginning on 30 October hit all five of Russia’s largest refineries: Omsk, Kirishi, Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod and Yaroslavl.
- Fire Point reported that Ukrainian forces struck at least nine Russian refineries from 30 October to 11 November 2026.
- The refineries struck over 13 days had combined capacity of more than 120 million tonnes of oil per year, equivalent to 36% of Russia’s refining capacity.
- Omsk, Russia’s largest refinery, was hit on 11 November; it is located 2,500 kilometres from Ukraine’s border and has capacity of more than 21 million tonnes per year.
- Reuters reported on 9 November that the strikes reduced Russian refining capacity by about 30% and caused fuel shortages in at least six Russian regions.
- Zelensky said Russian losses in October exceeded 50,000 personnel killed or wounded and projected a similarly high level in November.
Why it matters
Halting more than half of Russia’s refining capacity would directly constrain its ability to produce and export fuel products and support its war effort. The reported shortage of fuel in at least six Russian regions indicates domestic economic effects beyond the front line, while strikes reaching Russia’s largest refinery thousands of kilometres from Ukraine demonstrate the reach of Ukrainian long-range attack capabilities. Ukraine’s planned cooperation with partners to expand drone production points to continued emphasis on long-range strikes.
What happened
In his 15 November evening address, Zelensky said Ukraine had stopped more than 55% of Russia’s oil refining capacity through Ukrainian long-range sanctions. He cited a report from the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Mykhailo Drapatyi, and described the refinery strikes as a response to Russia’s refusal to de-escalate and its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. According to the General Staff, Ukrainian forces had struck all five of Russia’s largest refineries by 15 November: Omsk, Kirishi, Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod and Yaroslavl. New Kuibyshev and Saratov refineries were also targeted, while Fire Point reported that at least nine plants were hit between 30 October and 11 November. Zelensky also cited more than 50,000 Russian personnel killed or wounded in October, expected a similarly high level in November, and said Ukraine would work with partners to expand drone production.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian sources foreground Zelensky’s figure of more than 55% and frame the strikes as a deliberate Ukrainian response to Russia’s refusal to de-escalate and its attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector. They attribute the results to Ukrainian long-range sanctions, cite the commander-in-chief’s report, name the refineries targeted and provide details on their capacity and refining depth. The coverage also places the refinery campaign within a broader set of wartime developments, including Russian casualty figures, plans to expand drone production with partners and the assessment that Ukrainian forces can hold the front line.
How international sources describe it
Reuters reported that Ukrainian drone strikes since late October reduced Russia’s refining capacity by approximately 30% and caused fuel shortages in at least six Russian regions. This is materially lower than Zelensky’s estimate of more than 55%, and the available materials otherwise reflect Ukrainian domestic coverage rather than a broader international reporting pattern.
Where reporting differs
The sources differ in their estimate of the scale of the reduction in Russian refining capacity. Zelensky said more than 55% had been halted, while Reuters estimated an approximately 30% reduction over the same late-October period. The difference in methods or definitions is not specified in the supplied material.
Background
Zelensky made the statement during his evening address on 15 November, alongside a report from the Armed Forces commander-in-chief on Ukrainian long-range sanctions. The campaign of strikes on Russian refineries was reported as having begun on 30 October, with at least nine refineries hit over thirteen days. Reuters reported an estimated 30% reduction in Russian refining capacity and fuel deficits in at least six regions.