From Pipelines to Panic: How Ukrainian Drones Are Giving Russian Refineries a Headache

Russia has extended its ban on gasoline exports until the end of the year and imposed a new restriction on diesel exports for non-producers, affecting both fuel producers and non-producers alike.

It is worth noting that the ban on gasoline exports from the Russian Federation for fuel producers was introduced at the end of July to support the domestic market and was extended until September.

According to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, 13 oil refineries in Russia, with a total capacity of 119.2 million tons per year, have been disabled. As a result, there is a fuel shortage in 20 regions of Russia and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. At the same time, the cost of petroleum products is rising across the country.

In just three summer months this year, the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck the Novokuibyshevsk Refinery, Volgograd Refinery, Syzran Refinery, NOVATEK-Ust-Luga LLC, Ryazan Refinery, Kuibyshevsk Refinery, and Krasnodar Refinery.

Already in September, units of the Special Operations Forces struck the Saratov Oil Refinery in Russia.

The Saratov Refinery specializes in the production of gasoline, diesel fuel, fuel oil, as well as various types of bitumen, vacuum gas oil, and technical sulfur — in total, more than 20 petroleum products. The Saratov Refinery accounted for approximately 2.5% of total oil refining in Russia. Most importantly, this plant was affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defense. By striking the Saratov Refinery, the Special Operations Forces of Ukraine significantly reduced the supply of fuel and lubricants to Russian army units on the front line.

The main point is that the Special Operations Forces also hit a major transport infrastructure facility: the Samara Linear Production Dispatch Station. This is an oil pipeline production station where high- and low-sulfur oil from various fields in Russia is blended. Accordingly, the so-called Urals oil export warehouse is formed here, accounting for up to 50% of Russia’s total export volume. Strikes on this station disrupt Russia’s capacity for production, pumping, and shipment of petroleum products to end consumers.

The consequences of Ukrainian drone strikes on other facilities in the Russian oil industry are equally significant.

Unmanned system forces struck the Novokuibyshevsk Refinery in the Samara region, which accounts for 3% of total Russian refining capacity.

The Commander of the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert “Magyar” Brovdy, summarized the results of operations against Russian oil refineries and pipelines.

According to him, Ukrainian drones struck at least four major facilities on Russian territory:

• August 14 – Lukoil Volgograd Refinery

• August 18 – Druzhba oil pumping station in Nikolsky, Tambov region

• August 20 – Novoshakhtinsky Oil Refinery in the Rostov region

• August 21 – Druzhba oil pipeline station in Unecha, Bryansk region

As a result of these attacks, Russia’s Ust-Luga oil export terminal is expected to operate at around 350,000 barrels per day in September — roughly half its normal capacity — following damage to pipeline infrastructure from Ukrainian drone strikes.

Earlier, on August 10, a special operation by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine targeted the LUKOIL-Ukhtaneftepererabotka oil refinery in the Komi Republic.

It is noteworthy that the attacked facility is located more than 2,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border and is involved in supplying fuel and lubricants to the Russian army.

On September 24, naval strike drones from the Main Intelligence Directorate attacked the Russian ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse. The operation paralyzed the Transneft oil tanker complex and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal near Novorossiysk.

According to the Main Intelligence Directorate, the Russians loaded their tankers with oil, including from the so-called “shadow fleet.” These transshipment points are capable of exporting a total of 2 million barrels of crude oil per day. Additionally, Ukrainian sea drones destroyed the oil loading pier of one of Russia’s largest terminals in the port of Tuapse.

On the night of September 26, units of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in coordination with other branches of the Defense Forces, struck the Afipsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the goal of the operation was to reduce the enemy’s offensive potential and complicate the supply of fuel and ammunition to Russian military units.

The disruption of fuel and lubricant supplies to the front leads to the paralysis of the Russian military machine on Ukrainian territory.

The pace of the Russian offensive is slowing, which the Defense Forces of Ukraine are exploiting by executing what is known as active defense. During periods of reduced enemy activity, the Defense Forces launch counterattacks, resulting in the liberation of seven settlements in the Dobropillya direction alone.

This is the tangible impact of drone strikes by the Special Operations Forces, the Unmanned Systems Forces, and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on Russian oil refineries.

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