Ukrainian Drone Strikes Disrupt Russian Oil Refineries and Fuel Supplies
Ukrainian drone attacks on major Russian refineries have caused significant production losses, triggering a national fuel deficit and forcing Russia to seek foreign gasoline imports.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine launched a series of drone attacks against Russian energy infrastructure in early October 2025, causing significant production losses and a national fuel crisis. On October 4, a strike on the Kirishinefteorgsintez (KINEF) refinery in the Leningrad region disabled its most powerful processing unit, CDU-6. This shutdown reduced the refinery's total capacity by 40%, or 160,000 barrels per day, with repairs expected to take three to four weeks. This was the second single-month strike on the facility, following an attack on September 14.
On October 5, unknown drones targeted the Lukoil Nizhny Novgorod oil refinery in Kstovo, resulting in at least four explosions and thick smoke at the facility, which is the fourth largest in Russia. The combined impact of these strikes has created a fuel deficit, prompting Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak to warn of deteriorating supplies. In response, the Russian government is preparing to import gasoline from China, Singapore, South Korea, and Belarus.
The disruption has extended beyond immediate fuel shortages to impact regional business. Belarusian oilfield service companies, including state-owned Belorusneft-Siberia and private firms such as Fidmash and Seismotekhnika, are experiencing reduced contracts and revenue. These firms had previously expanded into the Russian market after the departure of Western companies but now face a downturn due to the diminished refining capacity of major Russian energy players.
