The oil industry in Russia is going through difficult times. As the Russian Ministry of Energy admits, energy sector enterprises are increasingly becoming the target of enemy airstrikes from Kiev.
As the Russian statement put it: “temporary difficulties” with fuel supplies in the southern regions of Russia. This information was provided by the office via Telegram. New crisis group is now to ensure stable and efficient deliveries.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Nowak admitted during the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg last weekend that Russia is currently extracting less oil than originally planned. He explained this as unplanned repairs, but did not provide further reasons.
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The authorities established by Moscow in the annexed Crimean Peninsula on the Black Sea and in the annexed Luhansk in eastern Ukraine had already restricted the issuance of gasoline. The Russian government also banned the export of kerosene for the first time until the end of November.
Ukraine recently attacked an oil storage facility that supplies the important Russian port of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea, as well as a pumping station that transports crude oil to the terminal. These attacks are the latest in a series of strikes targeting the country's energy infrastructure. The number of attacks reached a record high last month.
In the aggressive war against Ukraine, launched over four years ago on the orders of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, the military in Kiev has been using drone attacks on the Russian oil industry. In this way, Ukraine wants to disrupt fuel supplies to the Russian army and reduce revenues from the energy sector, which are important for Moscow's war coffers.
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries
Since spring 2026, Ukraine has significantly intensified long-range strikes against Russian fuel and military infrastructure. In an operation a few days ago, drones simultaneously attacked refineries, ports and naval facilities, reaching as far as the St. Petersburg area and engaging up to several dozen machines in one action. Previously, similar impacts were recorded, among others, in the Volgograd and Krasnodar regions, where fires occurred in refinery installations and export terminals.
The goal of the campaign is weakening the logistical base of the Russian army — refineries and fuel storage facilities are key to supplying troops. The Ukrainian command has repeatedly emphasized that the point is to “limit Russia's logistics capabilities in the oil sector.” What is new is the growing range of attacks – drones can hit targets located over 1,000 km away, such as the terminal in St. Petersburg or refineries in the interior of the country.
The scale of the impacts is starting to have an impact on the economy. According to data cited by Reuters, the attacks led to a decline in refining capacity and fuel shortages, forcing Russia to limit oil exports and increase production for its domestic market. They have appeared in some regions gasoline rationing and price increasesand part of the installation was temporarily shut down.
We will have to wait for the long-term economic impact of drone attacks. It is still unknown what capabilities Russia has and how the Kremlin will react so that the effects are as minimal as possible the drone campaign changes the nature of war: it moves operations far beyond the front line and increases economic pressure on Moscow.
Massive drone attacks have become one of Ukraine's key tools – not only militarily, but also economically, hitting the foundation of the Russian war machine, i.e. the fuel sector.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
