Ukraine Reports Strikes on Russian Refineries and Fuel Tankers

The Ukrainian military said on Friday it had struck several key targets in Russia's energy sector, including refineries, an oil terminal, depots and tankers in the Sea of Azov, as Kyiv continues its campaign to disrupt Russia's fuel supplies.

According to Ukraine's General Staff, a fire broke out at the Ilsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar region, one of the largest in southern Russia. Explosions were also reported at the Ust-Luga oil complex in the Leningrad region, which, along with the Ilsky refinery, has repeatedly been targeted by Ukrainian attacks. An oil terminal and storage facility in the Rostov region were also hit, with further explosions and fires reported.

Ukraine's months-long campaign against Russian oil facilities and logistics has forced Moscow to ban diesel exports to secure domestic supplies. According to two industry sources and Reuters calculations, gasoline production has fallen to about 65% of its previous level.

Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's drone forces, said Ukrainian forces had also damaged 10 tankers in the Sea of Azov. In total, nearly 50 vessels have reportedly been damaged this week. The campaign aims to disrupt fuel supplies to Russian troops and further isolate Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.

(Reuters, bak)