Ukraine’s General Staff confirms strikes on two Russian refineries and Black Sea rig

On the night of 8 August, Ukraine's General Staff confirmed that the country's forces had carried out strikes on two Russian oil refineries and a surveillance post on a Black Sea drilling rig. This marks a continuation of a months-long Ukrainian campaign targeting Russia's refining sector. According to Bloomberg estimates, Ukrainian forces had attacked Russian refineries approximately 50 times between mid-April and 13 July, targeting at least 24 out of the 34 large plants in the country, which significantly reduced refining volumes to their lowest level in over two decades.

The attack on the Ilsky refinery in Krasnodar Krai resulted in a fire on the plant's grounds, severely damaging six process units and cutting the plant's capacity to produce about 6.6 million tons of oil annually. The plant processes hydrocarbon feedstock, produces and ships petroleum products, and serves the needs of the Russian armed forces among other users.

Similarly, Ukrainian forces targeted the Syzran refinery in Samara oblast, a key facility of Rosneft's oil complex. The site has a design capacity of around 8.5 million tons of oil per year and produces more than 20 types of petroleum products, including motor fuels and road bitumen. It is considered one of the region's crucial refining facilities supplying fuel to the Russian armed forces.

The third target of the Ukrainian strikes was a technical observation post on the Syvash jack-up drilling rig in the Black Sea, where Russia houses surveillance equipment. Russian officials reported drone attacks on Krasnodar Krai and Samara oblast overnight, and the regional governor confirmed the shelling. Local channels reported that the Syzran strike took place near an AVT distillation unit and oil storage tanks.

However, the strikes and their extent could not be independently verified by sources such as Radio Svoboda. The General Staff has stated that Ukrainian forces are systematically implementing measures aimed at reducing the combat potential of Russian occupation forces and pressuring Russia to end its aggression against Ukraine.