Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries intensify, fuel limits return

Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries have intensified since late October, hitting eight facilities with a combined annual capacity of nearly 100 million tons, prompting fuel restrictions to return. The attacks resumed after US President Donald Trump's statements about an "energy truce" and have become more destructive. The new wave began on October 30 with a strike on the Novokuibyshevsk refinery, where eleven fire sources were recorded. On November 9, Ukraine hit the KINEFF refinery near St. Petersburg for the fourth time this year, causing fires across most of the facility. In response, fuel sales limits were introduced in the Leningrad region, with Rosneft imposing similar restrictions nationwide. Despite record oil revenues of nearly one trillion rubles in October, Russia paid 555 billion rubles in compensation to oil companies, double the 2024 figure. Analysts warn that continued strikes prevent refineries from achieving stable processing levels, while fuel quality complaints emerge as lower-standard gasoline enters the market.