Russia's 2nd-largest gasoline producer suspends oil processing yet again after Ukrainian strike

On August 26, Ukrainian drone strikes once again forced Russia's second-largest gasoline producer, Lukoil-Nizhegorodorgsintez oil refinery, or NORSI, to suspend crude oil processing, according to Reuters. The Ukrainian forces targeted the facility located in Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod oblast. The strike was confirmed by the Ukrainian General Staff, which reported a fire on the plant's territory.

The extent of the damage is still being assessed, but several processing units and general plant facilities were affected. It remains unclear when the site will resume operations after repairs are completed.

Lukoil, the refinery's owner, now has all its major refineries in Russia offline due to Ukrainian attacks. The NORSI refinery, with an annual processing capacity of approximately 17 million metric tons of crude oil, also produces diesel fuel, jet fuel, lubricants, and other petroleum products, including supplies for the Russian military. The key facility is located nearly 800 kilometers away from the Ukrainian border and has been shut down several times previously due to long-range Ukrainian strikes.

Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure throughout the summer have caused long gas station lines and fuel shortages across the nation. On August 25, Kazakhstan's Energy Minister, Yerlan Akkenzhenov, announced that his country would process Russian crude and supply 70% of its diesel and gasoline output back to Russia to help alleviate the shortages.