Ukraine Knocks Out 17% of Russia's Oil Refining Capacity

Ukraine has sharply intensified its attacks on Russia’s energy sector in recent weeks, dealing major blows to the primary source of funding for Moscow’s war machine, Sasha Vakulina reported for Euronews.

Ukraine’s campaign has targeted refineries, oil depots, and military-industrial facilities, undermining Moscow’s ability to process and export oil. (Photo: Генеральний штаб ЗСУ X)

Kyiv’s strikes on 10 Russian oil refineries have reportedly disrupted at least 17% of Russia’s refining capacity, equal to about 1.1 million barrels per day. Ukraine’s campaign has targeted refineries, oil depots, and military-industrial facilities, undermining Moscow’s ability to process and export oil.

The strikes have also triggered shortages in some Russian regions and in Moscow-annexed Crimea.

On Sunday, Kyiv targeted a gas terminal in the Leningrad region and an oil refinery in Samara.

A source in Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed to The Kyiv Independent that the SBU was behind the attack on the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal.

“Russia trades oil and gas through this terminal with the help of a ‘shadow fleet.’ Drone sanctions from the SBU reduce the inflow of foreign currency that Russia needs to wage war,” the source said.

Ukraine’s General Staff also confirmed that Military Intelligence (HUR), the Unmanned Systems Forces, and other defense agencies carried out the strike on the Syzran oil refinery in Samara, which “specializes in the production of gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and other petroleum supplied to the Russian troops.”

It added: “The Syzran refinery has a design capacity of up to 8.5 million tons of crude oil per year, accounting for around 3.08% of Russia’s total refining volume.”