Ukraine's systematic long-range strike operations have knocked out over half of Russia's total oil refining capacity, according to Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara. The minister confirmed that more than 51% of the enemy's oil refining infrastructure has been taken offline as a result of the relentless deep-strike campaign.
Significant blow to Russia's economy
Speaking on the impact of the strikes, Khmara quoted assessments from Ukraine's Defence Ministry and General Staff: "Intelligence and analysts from the General Staff and the Defence Ministry have assessed the impact of the recent long-range strikes by the defence forces. More than half of the enemy's capacity has been put out of action," the statement added. "This is the result of carefully planned, systematic and consistent actions aimed at bleeding the Russian war machine dry and destroying its military and economic potential."
A string of major Russian industrial hubs and oil infrastructure have been hit in recent raids, including key refineries in Moscow, Yaroslavl, Kinef, Ust-Luga, Perm, Ilsky, Saratov, and Syzran. Khmara emphasised that crippling such a massive portion of Russia's fuel pipeline strikes at the very heart of Moscow's war effort.
Deep strikes continue
"Fifty-one per cent of oil refining capacity being hit is a significant blow to the enemy's economy, its ability to wage aggression and supply its troop deployments," Mr Khmara said. "Our deep strikes continue to take the war onto Russian territory."
The Ukrainian Defence Ministry noted that expanding long-range attack drone capabilities remains a top priority to maintain pressure on Russian targets deep behind the front line. "We have tripled production and procurement this year," the Defence Ministry stated. "This is not the limit. We will continue to scale up our deep-strike capabilities."
Domestic fuel shortages
The systematic campaign against Moscow's energy infrastructure has targeted key Russian refining hubs in recent months. In mid-September, Ukrainian long-range drones sparked a major fire at the Moscow Oil Refinery in Kapotnya - which supplies roughly 40% of the capital's fuel - hitting its primary refining equipment.
Just days later, a massive barrage hit the Lukoil-operated Permnefteorgsintez plant in the Urals, while targeted strikes on Samara's Syzran refinery forced critical production units offline. Repeated long-range raids on the Baltic Coast terminals at Ust-Luga and the Yaroslavl and Ilsky refineries have continually disrupted Moscow's export revenues and domestic fuel supplies.
The widespread destruction has triggered severe domestic fuel shortages across Russia, forcing local authorities to introduce strict petrol rationing and prompting regional governors to urge residents to switch to public transport or bicycles. Soaring gas prices and long queues at filling stations have sparked local panic, prompting the Kremlin to impose emergency fuel export bans to prevent a total economic collapse.
