Photo: facebook.com/SecurSerUkraine
Ukrainian security and defense forces have disabled more than 51% of Russia’s oil refining capacity through a series of long-range strikes, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Yevheniy Khmara said on October 4.
The estimate was based on an assessment by Ukrainian intelligence, General Staff analysts and the Defense Ministry of the effects of recent strikes. The ministry said the attacks were part of a systematic campaign aimed at weakening Russia’s military and economic potential.
Among the facilities recently targeted were the Moscow, Yaroslavl and Perm oil refineries, as well as KINEF, Ust-Luga, Ilsky, Saratov, Syzran and other oil-processing facilities, according to the ministry.
“51% of affected refining capacity is a significant blow to the enemy’s economy, its ability to wage aggression and supply its military forces. Our deep strikes continue to bring the war to Russian territory,” Khmara said.
The assessment marks an increase from the Ukrainian General Staff’s previous estimate of more than 45% of Russia’s designed refining capacity being disabled as of September 21.
Khmara said the cumulative effect of the strikes was becoming increasingly significant. Long-range strike drones remain one of the Defense Ministry’s priorities, with production and procurement of such UAVs reportedly tripling this year. Ukraine plans to further expand its ability to strike targets deep inside Russia, he said.
The latest assessment comes amid continued Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s oil and energy infrastructure. On October 2, Ukrainian forces said they had struck the Volgograd oil refinery and a major oil pumping station in the Samara region.
The 51% figure is a Ukrainian government assessment and has not been independently verified.
