Ukraine claims its strikes have taken out more than half of Russia's oil refining capacity

Ukraine's Security and Defense Forces have damaged over half of Russia's oil refining capacity through recent long-range strikes, according to Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara. The strikes, aimed at weakening the Russian war machine, prioritize refineries as they fund the ongoing conflict. The ministry did not specify how they determined the percentage, but stated that the impact builds up over time.

The ministry listed eight recently targeted facilities, including the Moscow Oil Refinery, which Ukraine struck with a drone attack on September 20, and KINEF, Russia's second-largest refinery, hit in August. Other targets include refineries in Yaroslavl, Perm, Ilsky, Saratov, and Syzran, as well as the Ust-Luga port complex. Ukraine has increased production and procurement of long-range drones this year, with Germany funding the production of additional drones and agreeing to jointly develop a medium- and long-range drone system.

Russian refineries have seen a 14% decrease in crude oil processing compared to the same period last year, with fuel production figures showing a quarter to a third reduction in gasoline and diesel output since March 2026.