Ukrainian military intelligence announced on November 5, 2026, that targeted airstrikes have knocked 15 of Russia’s 38 major oil refineries out of operation, inflicting more than $23.2 billion in economic damage and cutting processing volumes by over half.
Refinery Disruption and Economic Losses
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) reported that in addition to the 15 refineries rendered completely inoperable by late September, another 12 facilities were forced to operate at reduced capacity. The precision strikes reduced total refining volumes across these sites by 55.4% compared to the beginning of the year. The economic losses of $23.2 billion nearly equal the total revenue generated by Russia’s oil refining industry in 2025, which amounted to $26.6 billion, according to intelligence estimates cited by Defense Express.
🔥 Ukrainian defense forces used FP-1 drones to strike the Novokuibyshevsk oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region. Multiple strikes hit the facility—which has an annual capacity of ~8.8 million tons—including its diesel hydrotreating unit. pic.twitter.com/pwEAYM67ks
The hardest-hit processing centers are concentrated in the Volga, Central, and Southern federal districts. Facilities including the Slavneft-YANOS, Kirishineftegazsintez, Ryazan Oil Refinery, Gazpromneft-Moscow Oil Refinery, and Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez account for roughly 33% of Russia’s total refining output. Meanwhile, remote refineries such as the Gazpromneft-Omsk Oil Refinery, Achinsk Refinery, Neftekhimservis, NNK-Khabarovsk Oil Refinery, Mariysky Oil Refinery, and Vaninsky Oil Refinery have tried to offset the shortfall. In September, these remote facilities processed 906,000 barrels per day—an increase of 147,000 barrels daily from the start of the year—accounting for about 24% of the country’s total refining volume.
However, geographical isolation and shortages of railway rolling stock and road tankers have severely limited the Kremlin’s ability to distribute fuel effectively, as noted by Mezha. Furthermore, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on September 28 restricting public access to data regarding refining volumes, complicating independent oversight of the sector. International sanctions and high equipment costs are also creating difficulties for Russia in repairing damaged facilities, with replacement costs potentially exceeding $20 billion.
Renewed Campaign Amid Diplomatic Pressure
The latest wave of strikes follows intense international pressure from the United States. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defended the strikes during an interview in Kyiv with Fox News, stating that our response must be painful
in the face of continuous Russian assaults on civilian and energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy noted that Russia is losing
after stating that Ukraine recaptured 96.2 sq km (37 sq miles) of its territory last month, exceeding Moscow’s gains by 10.4 sq km (4 sq miles).
We told them that we cannot stand by while Russia attacks our energy facilities and kills our people, targeting our electricity, gas, refineries and other infrastructure. If they want us to stop targeting Russian oil refineries, they must also stop attacking our energy system.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy further proposed that Ukraine might hold off on targeting oil facilities if Washington supplied additional Patriot missile interceptors to defend Ukrainian airspace. The U.S. State Department previously approved a potential sale of 500 Patriot interceptors valued at $2.1 billion, funded by international partners including Canada, Germany, and Norway, as reported by SANA. A local six-day ceasefire in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, brokered by Melania Trump, recently came to an end.
Ongoing Infrastructure Strikes Across Regions
On the ground, the drone campaign has continued to impact industrial installations inside Russia. Independent media and regional authorities reported fires and explosions following overnight raids. Vyacheslav Fedorishchev reported air defense operations over the region, where local monitoring groups identified a large smoke plume near a major Transneft transport and dispatch station. Additional strikes targeted the Ryazan oil refinery, where Voennoedelo reported fires breaking out after a massive drone raid confirmed by regional governor Pavel Malkov.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who oversees the energy sector, stated on state television that the ongoing attacks continue to aggravate global fuel market imbalances and influence prices. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting 212 drones across Russia and annexed Crimea overnight, while Moscow continued its own aerial bombardments against electrical substations, postal logistics hubs, and other critical infrastructure across Ukraine.
⚡️️️️Russian oil refinery in Ryazan reportedly targeted in drone attack. The Ryazan refinery, operated by Russia's state-controlled oil giant Rosneft, has an annual processing capacity of around 17 million metric tons of crude oil.https://t.co/rxXxUIiWQC
Earlier coverage: Russia Strikes Ukraine Energy Infrastructure Ahead of US-Mediated Talks
Today there was an important briefing on the results of our deep strikes in September and October. I am grateful to all our warriors for their precision and for consistently and effectively enforcing Ukraine's long-range sanctions. Every Russian strike on our cities and… pic.twitter.com/76fBKoeDWs
⚡️Ukrainian forces reportedly target oil refinery as explosions reported across southern Russia. A Russian oil refinery was set ablaze as a Ukrainian drone attack set off fires and explosions across southern Russia overnight on Nov. 6, monitoring channels reported.…