Russian refining under siege

Ukraine is striking deeper into Russian territory as it seeks to disrupt its enemy’s oil supplies, but the impact remains limited

The first two months of 2024 have seen Ukraine increase the range and frequency of drone attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, but while refining runs have taken a temporary hit, the impact on fuel supply should not be overstated. Ukraine has ramped up drone strikes against Russian oil refineries significantly in recent months. These attacks aim to divert military and economic resources away from the war, gain knowledge of Russian air defence systems and improve on drone designs and tactics. The impact on Russian fuel production should not be overstated, however. The drones being used carry only small payloads, and many of the facilities targeted so far were originally built during the Cold