Drone Attacks Disrupt Operations of Key Russian Oil Refineries
Recent drone strikes carried out by Ukrainian forces have significantly impacted Russia's oil refining industry, leading to the shutdown of two major facilities operated by the country's largest company, Rosneft.
The attacks have resulted in partial or complete halts at refineries in Ryazan and Novokuybyshevsk, which process immense volumes of crude oil and supply critical fuel products domestically.
According to Reuters sources, since August 2, the Ryazan refinery has ceased operations of its primary processing units—CDU-3 and CDU-4—each with a capacity of approximately 8,600 and 11,400 tonnes per day respectively.
Currently, only CDU-6 remains operational, capable of processing around 23,200 tonnes daily, but this represents less than half of the plant’s usual throughput.
The Novokuybyshevsk refinery has been entirely shut down following direct damage from attacks.
Last year, the Ryazan plant processed about 13.1 million tons of crude oil, producing millions of tons of gasoline, diesel, mazut, and aviation fuel, underlining its strategic importance.
Similarly, Novokuybyshevsk processed over 5.74 million tons in 2024, contributing significantly to the domestic fuel supply.
These acts of sabotage threaten to exacerbate existing fuel shortages caused by declining inventories at private gas stations, airport disruptions, and ongoing maintenance issues at oil facilities.
Experts warn that these disruptions not only threaten energy security in Russia but could also influence global oil markets by tightening supply and elevating prices.
The Ukrainian drone campaign has thus introduced a new and potent factor in regional geopolitical tensions and economic stability, demonstrating the potential to undermine Russia’s critical energy infrastructure.