Ukraine claims its attacks have taken out more than half of Russia’s oil refining capacity

Kyiv, Ukraine reported that its long-range strikes have crippled more than half of Russia's oil refining capacity, significantly impeding Moscow's ability to sustain its forces during the ongoing 4 1/2-year war. The Defense Ministry disclosed on Sunday that attacks on refineries in Moscow, Yaroslavl, Ust-Luga, Perm, Saratov, and Syzran had rendered 51% of Russia's oil refining capacity inoperable.

However, the claim remains unverified independently. The conflict has seen both nations escalate their aerial assaults as the 1,200-kilometer front line has largely stagnated. Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted refineries from Moscow to Siberia, precipitating a nationwide fuel crisis that prompted authorities to curb gasoline sales.

Russian President Vladimir Putin conceded that the strikes had reduced Russia's gross domestic product by around 1%, acknowledging that the assaults have achieved their objective of damaging the economy to some extent. Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara stated that intelligence services, the General Staff, and the Defense Ministry had evaluated the strikes' impact, asserting that neutralizing 51% of the targeted refining capacity constitutes a substantial blow to the enemy's economy and their capacity to wage aggression and supply their military units.