Russia Loses 13% of Oil Refining Capacity Due to Ukrainian Drone Strikes
On August 19, 2025, reports indicate that Russia has lost 13% of its oil refining capabilities as a result of Ukrainian drone attacks. According to 24brussels, drone assaults have led to the cessation of operations at no less than four major refineries, causing fuel prices to surge by 40-50% since the beginning of the year.
The Samara refinery is expected to remain idle until the end of August, while repair efforts at several Rosneft facilities in Ryazan and Novokuibyshevsk are facing significant delays. On August 15, it was announced that the Volgograd refinery, operated by Lukoil and the largest in southern Russia with a processing capacity of 14.8 million tons per year, has ceased operations.
Sergey Tsivilev, head of the Ministry of Energy, highlighted that sanctions severely hinder the rapid restoration of these facilities. “Let’s say a four-month repair was planned, but we have experienced delays and shortfalls in supplies,” the official remarked.
Last year, Russian refineries processed 267 million tons of crude oil, the lowest amount in the past 12 years, as reported by Reuters.
On the night of August 10, Ukraine’s armed forces and other defense units conducted strikes on the Saratov oil refinery, which is a critical component of Russia’s fuel infrastructure, supplying resources to occupying forces. The attack resulted in explosions and fires, with the facility reportedly processing up to 7 million tons of oil annually.
