Ukraine claims drone strikes have knocked out 51% of Russia's oil refining capacity

The war between Russia and Ukraine has now run for more than four and a half years. Ukraine has meanwhile stepped up long-range attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure. In the Middle East, a war is under way between Iran, Israel and the United States, and another fight has begun between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthis.

Ukraine's defence ministry has claimed that recent drone and long-range attacks have put a full 51 per cent of Russia's oil refining capacity out of action. Ukraine says this has increased pressure on Moscow's ability to deliver fuel and military supplies to the Russian army. The figure has not been independently verified.

Ukraine has struck several key Russian refineries. According to Ukraine, energy facilities in areas including Moscow, Yaroslavl, Ust-Luga, Perm, Saratov and Syzran were targeted. Some refineries have also been hit several times since the war began. Repeated attacks, emergency repairs and delays in maintenance have raised fears of a long-term impact on Russia's oil industry.

The attacks have made fuel supply a serious problem in Russia. Diesel production in Russia is reported to have fallen by about 30 per cent, and long queues have formed at petrol pumps in some areas. To manage the situation, Russia has also kept restrictions on diesel exports in place. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also acknowledged that the attacks have affected the economy. He said the impact on the country's GDP is about 1 per cent.

According to Ukraine, the aim of the attacks on oil refineries is not only to jolt the Russian economy. The aim is also to affect fuel supplies to the Russian army. Ukraine's defence ministry said Ukraine has greatly increased its production of long-range drones in 2026.

Russia, for its part, continues to attack Ukraine's energy and industrial infrastructure. The war is thus no longer confined to the battlefield. It has reached energy and fuel infrastructure.