Ukraine Drone Strikes Target Russian Oil Infrastructure, Threatening War Funding
Moscow – recent Ukrainian drone strikes targeting russian oil refineries and terminals are beginning to disrupt fuel production and could substantially impact Russia’s ability to finance its ongoing war in Ukraine, according to energy analysts and Ukrainian officials.The attacks, reaching as far as the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat Oil Refinery in Baschkortostan - over 1,400 kilometers from Ukrainian territory – are designed to degrade Russia’s economic capacity to sustain the conflict.
the effects of these attacks are not yet fully reflected in global markets due to the scale of the Russian economy, explains Amrita Sen of Energy Aspects. However, Western sanctions are complicating repairs, as it takes approximately three weeks for a refinery to resume full production and for diesel to reach ports. Simultaneously, procuring necessary spare parts and equipment from China is becoming increasingly difficult for Russia. Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj has publicly affirmed the effectiveness of this strategy, stating, “The most effective sanctions are the fires in Russia’s oil refineries, its terminals, oil deposits.” He further announced plans to escalate the attacks, predicting that when Ukraine achieves drone parity with Russia, Moscow will experience fuel shortages and economic losses.
While some Russian officials, like Governor Mikhail Jewrajew of the Yaroslavl region, deny specific incidents – claiming no drone attack was determined there - visible evidence, including smoke plumes, suggests or else. The strikes represent a shift in Ukraine’s strategy, directly targeting a key revenue source for the Kremlin.Disrupting Russia’s oil production and export capabilities aims to constrict the flow of funds fueling the war effort and perhaps force a reassessment of Moscow’s military campaign.
