Ukrainian strikes on the oil refining infrastructure of the Russian Federation are inflicting significantly greater losses on the aggressor country than all Western sanctions combined. This was stated by the head of Ukrainian intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, who emphasized the importance of further intensifying attacks to increase the level of damage to Russia’s oil refining industry from 20% to 30%. Ukraine continues to work purposefully on this task.
This is reported by Finway
Strikes on Strategic Facilities in Russia
Throughout December, Ukrainian Defense Forces carried out a series of effective attacks on key facilities of Russia’s fuel and energy complex. In particular, on December 6, the ninth drone attack of the year on the Ryazan Oil Refinery was recorded. The day before, Ukrainian forces struck the Syzran Oil Refinery in the Samara region, as well as the infrastructure of the Temryuk seaport in the Krasnodar region.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the consequences of the strikes on the Saratov Oil Refinery, where the primary oil purification unit ELOU-AVT-6 was severely damaged. At the beginning of December, this refinery was forced to completely halt the primary processing of crude oil and is currently operating at less than half of its design capacity. All key units remain shut down. Additionally, on December 2, at least two fuel tanks were destroyed at an oil depot in the city of Livny in the Oryol region of Russia.
Russia’s Response: Energy Terror Against Ukraine
Amid significant losses in the fuel sector, Russia continues massive strikes on Ukrainian energy, railway, and port infrastructure. On the night of December 6, the aggressor attacked eight regions, resulting in nuclear power plants having to reduce their generation capacity, and for the first time since the full-scale war began, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant temporarily lost all external power supply.
“Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s gasoline sector affect society, the financial and economic state of the country, its ability to plan budgets, and more. Therefore, the strikes should be intensified to increase the damage level to Russia’s oil refining industry from 20% to 30%. Ukraine continues to work on this.”
The very next day, energy facilities in two regions, as well as the dam of the Pechenihy Reservoir in Kharkiv region, came under enemy fire. As a result of constant attacks, power outage schedules are in effect across all regions of the country, and restrictions on capacity have been imposed for businesses and industrial consumers.