Ukraine says its drones hit major Russian refinery amid deepening fuel shortages

Ukrainian forces launched a drone attack on the Novokuybyshevsk oil refinery in Russia’s Samara Oblast on August 22, resulting in a fire at the Rosneft-owned facility, according to the Ukrainian General Staff. The full extent of the damage is yet to be determined. Ukraine has been repeatedly targeting Russian oil refineries to curb military fuel supplies and lessen the energy revenue boosting Moscow’s war efforts.

The strike occurred as Moscow and St. Petersburg reintroduced gasoline rationing and Rosneft limited nationwide fuel purchases. The Novokuybyshevsk refinery, one of Russia’s ten largest with an annual capacity of 8.8 million metric tons of crude, produces over 20 petroleum products, including aviation fuel and diesel. The attack was carried out using FP-1 long-range drones.

An Ozon logistics center in Chapayevsk, struck in the same wave, suffered injuries and halted operations, Reuters reported. The damage to the refinery and any impact on production have not been independently confirmed.