Ukrainian drone strikes cut Russian oil refining capacity by a third

Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries have reduced Russia's refining capacity by approximately 30%, according to two sources cited in a report. The strikes, which resumed in late October, have disrupted operations at nine of Russia's 35 largest refineries. The affected refineries, including three major plants in central Russia, have a combined nominal capacity of about 2.2 million barrels per day. Russia's total primary refining capacity is roughly 930,000 tons daily, but refineries processed only about 700,000 tons of crude per day in late October, with actual output declines potentially reaching 200,000 tons daily. Ukraine began drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure in August 2025 as a strategy of "long-range sanctions" to create fuel shortages and disrupt military logistics. The attacks have caused widespread fires, halted refinery operations, and led to diesel export bans, with fuel queues visible in Moscow.