Ukraine’s attacks slash Russian oil production and processing by 12% – security service head

The Security Service of Ukraine conducted several successful operations to damage oil refineries in Russia. As a result, it was possible to reduce oil production and processing in Russia by 12%.

The head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Maliuk, stated this on March 25 on the air of the ICTV TV channel.

The host, Olena Froliak, noted that the Security Service of Ukraine has already carried out 13 successful attacks on Russian refineries. Maliuk didn't deny this information, emphasizing that the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) operates according to the threats and objectives set by Supreme Commander-in-Chief Volodymyr Zelensky. One of the current objectives is to "cut off the oxygen" for Russian President Vladimir Putin, noted Maliuk. This refers to targeting the economic sector of the occupying forces.

"It is through the export of oil products that Russia replenishes its budget. This is actually a third of their budget and the lion's share of their military budget," he explained.

The head of the SSU stated that even Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin admitted that Russia had stopped entirely exporting gasoline. Maiyuk says this results from "a series of successful operations by the corresponding long-range drones." The head of the special service noted that "for obvious reasons," he cannot name their names or technical characteristics, adding that the SSU works together with the Main Directorate of Intelligence, Special Operations Forces, and other "colleagues" from the Defense Forces.

Maliuk predicted new special operations that would cause even more damage to the enemy – on land and at sea.

"Let the Russians wait for the next "cotton" [Russians do not refer to explosions as "explosions," but rather as "bangs," which sounds the same as the word "cotton" – ed.]. We always stay ahead and adapt if they alter their defense against our naval drones. You'll witness it in due time," Vasyl Maliuk announced.

The leader of the SSU pointed out that since the full-scale war began, Ukraine has successfully targeted the Crimean Bridge. He also mentioned the Sea Baby and Mamai sea drones, which have already struck 11 Russian vessels and unblocked the Black Sea.

According to him, since the beginning of the war, SSU soldiers have already destroyed more than 800 enemy tanks, armored vehicles, EW, and air defense systems.

For reference:

• On the night of March 12, drones struck the territory of the Russian Federation: oil depots were hit in Orlov and Nizhnegorod regions, where large-scale fires broke out; explosions were heard in the Moscow region, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, and Tula regions.
• In addition, Ukraine's intelligence stated that all facilities used by the Russian Federation for military purposes may be subject to similar attacks by strike drones, as occurred on the night of March 12.
• On March 6, as a result of a drone attack, explosions rang out in the Voronezh region of the Russian Federation. Also, strike drones hit a warehouse of fuel and lubricants in the Kursk region.
• On February 15, drones attacked an oil depot located in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation: after that, a fire broke out, and Ukraine was blamed for the attack.
• On the night of February 9, in the Siversk district of the Krasnodar Territory, the Ilsky Oil Refinery burned, allegedly due to an attack by an unmanned aerial vehicle.
• On the night of March 10, an attack drone attacked an oil depot in Kursk, Russian Federation, and a gas pipeline fire broke out in the village of Lykhma in the Khanty-Mansiysk district.
• On January 29, an aircraft-type drone attacked one of the largest Russian refineries – the Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery in Yaroslavl, Russia.
• On January 25, the oil refinery in Tuapse, Russia, became another target of the Security Service of Ukraine. After two powerful explosions, a large-scale fire started there, and the installation of the primary processing of petroleum products, namely, the vacuum and atmospheric column, was damaged.
• Due to an attack by Ukrainian drones on January 21 of this year, the Russian Novatek plant, located on the coast of the Baltic Sea, was suspended.
• On January 18, Ukrainian drones struck an oil depot in the Leningrad Region of the Russian Federation: this attack was a special operation of Ukraine's intelligence.
• On December 5, Ukrainian drones hit the "Marine Oil Terminal" in occupied Feodosia.