Russia’s oil industry is suffering from escalating attacks by Ukrainian forces, which have severely damaged key refineries and processing plants. More than two-thirds of Russia’s 30 largest oil refineries have been targeted by Ukrainian drones in the past month alone, according to reports from Welt. These drone strikes are part of a sustained strategy that began over a year ago and is continuing, with no more than 48 hours passing between strikes.
The most recent blow to Russia’s oil infrastructure occurred at Gazprom’s Astrakhan gas processing plant. The attack led to a major fire at the facility, which processes gasoline, diesel fuel, and sulfur used for explosives. The damage has caused a complete shutdown, with a full repair expected to take at least three months. The plant’s downtime is estimated to result in losses of millions of dollars.
Since the start of the year, Ukraine has launched at least seven separate drone attacks on Russian refineries, including strikes in regions like Volgograd, Ryazan, and Nizhny Novgorod. In total, these attacks have sparked the most significant crisis in Russia’s oil industry in over 12 years. Oil refining volumes have plummeted to a 12-year low, and refining capacity has been reduced by 13%, amounting to a loss of over 41 million tons.
As a result, Russia is facing an ever-growing struggle to repair the damaged refineries. The combination of these attacks and the sanctions imposed by the West has made it difficult for Russia to obtain the technology and equipment necessary for repairs. Billions of dollars in losses are mounting every day, further exacerbating the country’s economic woes. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s strategy of systematically targeting Russia’s oil infrastructure is making the war even more costly for the Kremlin.
The Ukrainian drone strikes have had a profound effect on Russia’s oil industry, diminishing its refining capacity, disrupting exports, and straining its economy. Despite the Kremlin’s attempts to downplay the impact, it is clear that these attacks are taking a heavy toll on Russia’s ability to maintain its oil production and export capabilities.
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