Russia Loses Oil: Production Falls to Record Low Due to Sanctions and Attacks

Record Drop in Oil Production in Russia

According to ХВИЛЯ: In December 2025, Russia experienced a record drop in oil production due to Western sanctions and Ukrainian drone attacks on energy infrastructure. The average oil production in the country was 9.326 million barrels per day, which is 100,000 barrels less than in November 2025. This level of production is also 250,000 barrels below the limit set by the OPEC+ agreement.

Moreover, over 185 million barrels of Russian oil have accumulated on tankers at sea, which Russia cannot sell. This indicates serious problems in the sector caused by a combination of external and internal factors.

Reasons for Industry Degradation

The reasons for the record degradation of the industry include:

• attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on oil refineries and deposits;
• US sanctions against major oil and gas companies;
• logistical collapse making the transportation and sale of oil products difficult.

All these factors negatively affect Russia's ability to maintain stable oil production, which has significant consequences for the country's economy.

This situation highlights the vulnerability of the Russian economy to external pressures, as a decline in oil production may lead to reduced state revenues, which significantly depend on energy resource exports. In the context of an ongoing war and sanctions, it will be more challenging for Russia to adapt to new economic realities, which could impact its internal stability and international relations.