Russia's Oil Refineries Halted Amidst Ukrainian Drone Attacks

Russia's Ryazan oil refinery has drastically reduced its production by half, while the Novokuibyshevsk refinery has halted operations entirely following recent Ukrainian drone attacks. The strikes, which targeted multiple industrial and military facilities across Russia, have escalated Ukraine's long-range drone attacks against the Russian oil processing industry. This critical sector is a key source of revenue for Moscow, funding its war efforts.

Key Takeaways:

• The Novokuibyshevsk refinery, run by Rosneft, ceased operations after Ukrainian drones damaged its main primary oil refining unit, resulting in a loss of 8.3 million metric tons of oil production capacity per year.
• The Ryazan oil refinery, also run by Rosneft, halted roughly half of its refining capacity after a Ukrainian drone strike, leaving 48% of its capacity operational, or 23,200 tons of product per day.
• The Ryazan refinery processed 13.1 million metric tons of crude oil last year, and its halting of half of its refining capacity will significantly impact Russia's oil production.
• State-owned Rosneft is Russia's leading oil processing company and has been under international sanctions since 2014.
• Ukraine's military confirmed the strikes, stating that Ukrainian drones also targeted the Annanefteprodukt fuel and lubricants storage base, the Primorsko-Akhtarsk military airfield, and the Elektropribor plant.
• Oil and gas revenues cover roughly one-third of the Russian federal budget income, making the strikes a significant hit to Russia's economy.

Statistics:

• 8.3 million metric tons: The production capacity lost due to the damage to the Novokuibyshevsk refinery's main primary oil refining unit.
• 48%: The operational capacity of the Ryazan refinery remaining after halting half its refining capacity.
• 23,200 tons per day: The reduced production capacity of the Ryazan refinery after the Ukrainian drone strike.
• 13.1 million metric tons: The amount of crude oil processed by the Ryazan refinery last year.
• One-third: The proportion of the Russian federal budget income covered by oil and gas revenues.

Sources:

• Reuters, "Russia's Rosneft halts oil production at two refineries after Ukraine drone attacks", undated.
• Reuters, "Ukraine says it launched drone attack against Russia's oil refineries", undated.
• The Kyiv Independent, "Ukrainian drones target Russian airfield and oil refinery", undated.
• BBC, "Russian oil refineries attacked by Ukrainian drones", undated.