Ukraine has launched a drone attack on the **Ryazan refinery**, one of the largest crude processing facilities in Russia, according to **Robert Brovdi**, commander of Ukraine’s drone forces. Eyewitnesses reported explosions, a fire, and thick smoke rising from the region, located southeast of **Moscow**. The Ryazan facility, operated by the oil giant **Rosneft**, has a capacity to process over **260,000 barrels per day**, accounting for approximately **5%** of Russia’s overall refining capacity.
This strike is part of a broader pattern of drone attacks targeting Russian energy infrastructure. Earlier on the same day, Ukrainian forces also struck an oil depot in the **Luhansk region**, which is currently under Russian occupation. The recent attack on the Ryazan refinery marks one of several incidents this year, following previous assaults on Rosneft’s facilities. Notably, in **August 2023**, the Ryazan refinery was previously targeted, coinciding with an increase in Ukrainian strikes against key energy installations in Russia.
Escalating Attacks on Russian Refineries
The Ryazan refinery is not the only Rosneft facility to have been impacted by the ongoing conflict. In August, the **Saratov Refinery** in the **Volga region**, which can process **140,000 barrels per day**, was also attacked, leading to a temporary suspension of crude intake and processing operations. Another significant incident occurred at a **Lukoil refinery** in **Volgograd**, which caught fire after a drone strike in mid-August. This facility is Lukoil’s second-largest crude processing plant in Russia and serves as a critical fuel supplier for the southern federal district.
Over the past month, Ukrainian drones have inflicted varying degrees of damage on at least six refineries across Russia. The **Ust-Luga port**, located on the Russian Baltic Sea, also suffered attacks, particularly at its fuel loading and gas processing complex. Reports indicate that repairs at the most severely impacted unit at Ust-Luga could take up to six months, potentially exacerbating Russia’s refining challenges.
Due to these ongoing assaults, Russia is likely to face significant disruptions in its domestic refining capacity. As a response, analysts predict that the country may sharply increase crude oil exports in the coming weeks to mitigate the impact of reduced local processing capabilities.
The situation remains dynamic, and the implications of these drone strikes continue to unfold as both nations navigate the complexities of this ongoing conflict.
