Record-Breaking Attacks on Russian Oil Processing
Ukraine achieved an unprecedented number of strikes against Russian oil refineries in May, according to data from Bloomberg. Drones hit Russian oil processing facilities at least 16 times, damaging eight out of the ten largest refineries. As a result, the country's crude oil processing dropped to its lowest level since October 2009. In total, at least 30 attacks on Russian oil infrastructure were recorded during the month.
Among the Affected Facilities
The Yanos refinery, co-owned by Rosneft and Gazprom Neft, was one of the hardest hit, suffering three separate attacks. Lukoil's plants in Nizhny Novgorod and Perm were each targeted twice. The average daily oil processing volume for the month was approximately 4.58 million barrels, a decrease of 700,000 barrels (13%) compared to the same period last year.
Additionally, Russia has banned the export of aviation kerosene until the end of November. Since the start of the year, the price of gasoline has risen to 67.53 rubles per liter. By late May, daily volumes of Ai-95 gasoline for the European part of Russia had fallen to roughly 5,000 tons. Exchange prices for Ai-95 gasoline have surged more than 20% year-on-year.
Dmitry Peskov, press secretary for the Russian president, commented on the situation, stating that 'there is currently no threat of a fuel shortage.'
Experts like Serhiy Vakulenko note that Ukraine has shifted its attack strategy, aiming not only at primary processing units but also at technologically complex secondary ones. 'If Russia hoped to produce and stockpile more fuel to avoid repeating the summer crises of recent years, it will be more difficult to do so due to reduced capacity,' Vakulenko added.
The situation underscores how strikes on Russian refineries could significantly impact the country's energy security. Reduced oil processing volumes and rising fuel prices may create additional economic challenges for the Russian government, particularly as energy demand traditionally increases during the summer. These developments could also affect Russia's domestic political landscape and social conditions.
The recent surge in Ukrainian drone strikes has not only impacted oil refineries but has also led to a significant decline in Russia's diesel production. Reports indicate that these targeted attacks have resulted in a 10% reduction in diesel output, further complicating Russia's fuel supply situation and revealing the broader implications of Ukraine's strategic shift in warfare tactics.