Nearly all major oil refineries in central Russia have been forced to either shut down or cut fuel production after a series of recent Ukrainian drone attacks.
Reuters reported this, citing its own sources and official data.
According to the report, the refineries affected, either fully or partially, have a combined processing capacity of more than 83 million metric tons per year, or about 238,000 tons per day.
That accounts for roughly one-quarter of Russia’s total oil refining capacity.
Together, these plants produce more than 30% of Russia’s gasoline and about 25% of its diesel fuel.
Since the beginning of 2026, Ukraine has intensified its drone attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure, doubling the number of oil refineries targeted by strikes.
The attacks have also hit pipelines and oil storage facilities, leading to a decline in Russia’s oil production.
The situation has increased pressure on the federal budget, where oil and gas taxes account for roughly a quarter of government revenue.
In addition, the Russian government introduced a ban on gasoline exports in April, which will remain in effect through the end of July.
The Russian facilities targeted in May include the Kirishi and Moscow oil refineries, as well as refineries in Ryazan and Yaroslavl.
On the morning of May 21, a Ukrainian strike drone targeted an oil refinery in the Russian city of Syzran in the Samara region. A fire broke out at the facility following the strike.
Yesterday morning, drones struck the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez oil refinery in Kstovo, located in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region.
