Ukraine's Military Intelligence (HUR) agency reported on Thursday that its airstrikes have incapacitated 15 of Russia's 38 major oil refineries, resulting in an estimated $23.2 billion in economic damage. Following these precision strikes, only 12 refineries are currently operating at reduced capacity.
The HUR stated that the targeted attacks have effectively reduced Russia's oil processing volumes by 55.4% since the beginning of the year. The agency highlighted five specific facilities hit as of September, including the large Ryazan Oil Refining Company, which together accounted for 33% of Russia's total oil output.
These attacks represent a significant blow to Moscow, as oil revenue is crucial for funding its ongoing military operations in Ukraine. The disruption has also led to gasoline shortages in various Russian regions, including annexed Crimea, with citizens facing increased costs.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously indicated a willingness to cease attacks on Russian oil refineries if Russia halts its own assaults on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. However, Zelensky stated that Russia continues to target critical infrastructure with drones and missiles, damaging energy equipment essential for the country's power plants.
Russia has reported its own retaliatory strikes, including an attack on a postal logistics hub operated by Nova Poshta, Ukraine's largest private delivery company, as well as a power substation in Dnipropetrovsk and a cargo ship in the Black Sea. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone strikes have reportedly caused fires in an industrial zone in Ryazan, southeast of Moscow.