Ukrainian drone strikes knock out 16% of Russian oil refining capacity

Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries have disabled approximately 16% of Russia's refining capacity, causing massive fires visible from space. The attacks resumed in late October after a brief pause and have hit multiple major facilities. Key targets included refineries in Novokuibyshevsk, Ufa, Nizhny Novgorod, and Yaroslavl between October 30 and November 4. The largest blaze occurred at the Samara pipeline station, covering 216 hectares. Russian authorities have imposed fuel purchase limits in some regions, including a 40-liter cap in Nizhny Novgorod. The strikes followed a two-week Ukrainian pause agreed under US pressure, during which Russian refinery output rose by a quarter. Russia's oil and gas budget revenues had already fallen 45% in the first quarter, with the budget deficit exceeding liquid National Wealth Fund assets.