Attacks by Ukrainian forces on ten oil refineries in Russia have led to a disruption of at least 17% of the total capacity of the Russian oil refining industry, amounting to approximately 1.1 million barrels per day.
This is reported by Finway
Impact of the Attacks on the Russian Market
According to estimates, these strikes have seriously affected not only oil processing and exports in Russia but have also caused a gasoline shortage in several regions of the country. In certain areas of the Russian Federation, including southern regions, as well as in territories temporarily controlled by Russia in Ukraine, and even in the Far East, there is a shortage of gasoline. This forces drivers to purchase more expensive fuel grades, as the popular A-95 grade has become scarce.
The strikes on oil refineries coincided with a peak in consumer demand for fuel in Russia, driven by the summer season when gasoline is heavily used by tourists and farmers. Even before the recent attacks, the Russian government had tightened restrictions on gasoline exports in an attempt to cope with rising domestic demand.
Strategic Significance of the Attacks
Analysts believe that these actions by Ukraine are part of a strategy aimed at raising the stakes in potential peace negotiations, as well as countering the widespread narrative of Ukraine’s supposed defeat following the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska this August.
Since the beginning of August this year, eight oil refineries in Russia have been targeted by Ukrainian drones. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirms most of these strikes, emphasizing that
The Ukrainian Defense Forces “systematically implement measures aimed at reducing the combat potential of Russian occupation forces, as well as compelling Russia to cease its armed aggression against Ukraine.”
Throughout 2024 and 2025, Russian oil refining facilities will regularly become targets for Ukrainian drones. Some of them have experienced failures in primary oil processing units, requiring lengthy repairs. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine periodically confirms strikes on facilities in Russia that supply the Russian army, emphasizing that such operations will continue in the future.