Ukrainian strikes cut Russian oil refining capacity by 30%

Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries since late October have reduced Russia's oil refining capacity by approximately 30%, according to Reuters sources. The renewed attacks have disrupted operations at nine of Russia's 35 largest refineries, with actual processing volume cuts potentially reaching 200,000 tonnes per day. The affected facilities include major plants in Ryazan, Yaroslavl, and the Volga region, as well as the Kirishi refinery, Russia's second-largest, which was hit by a drone attack on Monday, causing a fire and one fatality. The combined daily capacity of damaged refineries is about 300,000 tonnes, or 2.2 million barrels, compared to Russia's total primary refining capacity of roughly 930,000 tonnes per day. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv is responding to Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, while Moscow continues diesel exports under agreements with US President Donald Trump. The attacks exacerbate Russia's domestic fuel shortages, with Ukrainian estimates suggesting about 20% of Russian refining capacity has been destroyed.