Ukrainian drone attacks have reduced Russia’s oil refining capacity – UK intelligence

Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian facilities have affected the oil refining industry, the UK intelligence report states.

Numerous strikes by Ukrainian drones on oil refineries across Russia decreased the refining capacity.

On March 1, 2024, Russia imposed a six-month ban on gasoline exports to stabilize prices in the domestic market amid rising demand.

"The export ban will reduce the pressure on supplies and allow Russia to repair its refineries."

As British analysts point out, the repairs are likely to take longer than usual, as Western sanctions prevent the import of some necessary components to Russia.

"The Russian government will be particularly sensitive to rising prices for gasoline and other everyday goods in the run-up to the presidential election (of Vladimir Putin) on March 15-17."

Attacks on Russian oil refineries

• On February 15, drones attacked an oil depot in the Kursk region, which resulted in a fire, and Ukraine was accused of the attack.
• On the night of February 9, the Ilya oil refinery in the Krasnodar Krai burned down, allegedly because of a drone attack.
• On January 29, an aircraft-type drone attacked one of Russia's largest refineries, the Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery in Yaroslavl.
• On January 25, the oil refinery in Tuapse became another target of Ukraine's Security Service.  After two powerful explosions, a large-scale fire broke out, and the primary oil processing unit, namely the vacuum and atmospheric columns, was damaged.
• On January 21, the Russian Novatek plant, located on the Baltic Sea coast, was suspended due to an attack by Ukrainian drones.
• On January 18, Ukrainian drones attacked an oil depot in the Leningrad region.
• On December 5 last year, Russia announced the interception and destruction of more than 40 allegedly Ukrainian drones, targeting occupied Crimea.