Ukraine’s Drones Hit 3 Russian Refineries in a Week, Fuel Supply to Front Lines Collapses
Ukraine is systematically destroying Russian fuel infrastructure, hitting oil depots and refineries in a coordinated campaign that has forced Moscow to haul gasoline to the front lines in civilian cars.
In the past week, Ukrainian drone strikes have set fire to a key Rosneft refinery in Ryazan, which supplies gasoline, diesel, and jet kerosene to the Moscow region [149502]. A separate attack ignited a processing unit at a refinery in Syzran, a facility that fuels Russia’s armed forces [154166]. Near the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, about 50 explosions rocked an oil storage depot, triggering a massive fire at the Grushovaya facility, which stores crude destined for tanker loading at Russia’s main oil export hub [168218].
The strikes are part of a broader Ukrainian strategy to sever military and civilian fuel supplies in Russian-occupied areas [169625]. As a result, Russian forces are facing growing logistical challenges. Video filmed by Russian soldiers themselves shows a convoy of civilian sedans packed with jerrycans traveling from Dagestan to occupied Tokmak, carrying gasoline in unmarked cars to keep frontline units fueled [169074]. The improvised effort highlights the severe strain on Moscow’s supply lines.
Civilians in occupied regions are also feeling the impact, with fuel shortages worsening as Ukraine intensifies attacks on supply routes and depots [169625].