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Russia’s oil refining output has dropped to its lowest point since 2005, driven by continued Ukrainian drone strikes, according to a Bloomberg report cited by UATV English, which draws on industry data.
Data from EA Analytics shows Russia has processed an average of 3.91 million barrels of crude oil daily since the start of the month — the lowest figure recorded since March 2005, and more than 1.4 million barrels per day below last year’s average.
This decline has forced Russia to ban most diesel fuel exports through the end of July, adding to earlier restrictions already placed on gasoline and jet fuel exports.
Drawing on public statements from both Ukraine and Russia, Bloomberg estimates Ukrainian forces have conducted roughly 50 strikes on Russian fuel production sites over the past 100 days, hitting at least 24 of Russia’s 34 major oil refineries.
Ukraine’s long-range drones can now reach targets over 2,400 kilometers past the Ukrainian border. Earlier this month, one such strike hit Russia’s largest oil refinery, located in the Omsk region.
Bloomberg noted that the Omsk refinery primarily serves domestic consumers, meaning the strike added further strain on fuel supplies within Russia. Regions spanning from Kaliningrad on the Baltic coast to Russia’s Pacific coast have reported supply disruptions, with hours-long lines forming at gas stations and pump prices climbing sharply.
As previously reported, gasoline prices across Russia have been surging amid the intensifying campaign of Ukrainian long-range strikes on its oil refineries and fuel infrastructure.
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