Ukraine Hits 2 More Russian Refineries as Fuel Exports Collapse to 21-Year Low
Updated
Updated · OilPrice.com · Jul 15
Ukraine Hits 2 More Russian Refineries as Fuel Exports Collapse to 21-Year Low
3 articles · Updated · OilPrice.com · Jul 15
Summary
Russian crude processing fell to 3.91 million barrels a day in early July—the lowest since March 2005—after overnight Ukrainian drone strikes on the Afipsky refinery and Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat.
At least 24 of Russia’s 34 large refineries have been hit in about 50 attacks over 100 days, with repeat strikes damaging primary distillation units and preventing operators from restoring output.
Fuel shortages have forced Moscow to ban gasoline exports in April, jet fuel exports on June 1 and diesel exports on July 8, while Russia has started importing gasoline from India and Belarus.
SPIMEX data show the supply squeeze worsening: June gasoline and diesel sales fell to 80,300 tonnes a day, 38% below a year earlier, while weighted average prices rose 37%.
Russia’s diesel retreat is rippling abroad, pushing European refining margins above $60 a barrel and forcing buyers from Turkey to Central Asia to replace lost Russian cargoes.
Can Ukraine's drone attacks on refineries cripple Russia's war economy before winter arrives?
Will Europe's new 'Freya' missile shield arrive in time to defend Ukrainian cities from Russian attacks?
Is China the undeclared winner of the drone war, supplying critical parts to both Russia and Ukraine?
Ukraine’s July 2026 Drone Offensive Triggers Russian Fuel Shortages and Global Energy Turmoil
Overview
In July 2026, Ukraine sharply escalated its long-range drone campaign, focusing on Russia’s vital energy infrastructure. By strategically targeting refineries and key supply routes, especially those linked to Crimea, Ukraine aimed to cripple Russia’s domestic fuel production and distribution. This led to a severe and widespread fuel crisis, with almost all of Russia’s 83 regions experiencing gasoline shortages or major supply disruptions. The crisis began in Crimea, where a state of emergency and a ban on fuel sales to civilians were imposed, and quickly spread across Russia’s 11 time zones, deeply impacting the country’s economy and daily life.