Ukraine Drones Hit 3 Russian Refineries in a Week, Fuel Crisis Spreads to Front Lines
Ukraine is systematically destroying Russian fuel infrastructure, striking at least three oil refineries and depots in a single week, forcing Moscow to haul gasoline to the front in civilian cars as supply chains collapse in occupied areas.
Ukrainian drone strikes have ignited fires at key Russian fuel facilities, including a Rosneft refinery in Ryazan that supplies gasoline, diesel, and jet kerosene to the Moscow region [149502]. A separate attack set a processing unit ablaze at a refinery in Syzran, which provides fuel to Russia’s armed forces [154166]. Near the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, explosions rocked the Grushovaya oil depot—connected to Russia’s main oil export hub—after witnesses counted about 50 blasts before a massive fire erupted [168218].
The strikes are part of a broader Ukrainian campaign to disrupt Moscow’s ability to supply both military and civilian needs in occupied territories [169625]. As fuel shortages worsen, Russian forces have resorted to improvised logistics: a convoy of civilian sedans packed with jerrycans was filmed traveling from Dagestan to occupied Tokmak, carrying gasoline in unmarked cars to keep frontline units fueled [169074].
The intensifying attacks target infrastructure essential for moving troops and equipment, while civilians in Russian-controlled areas face growing shortages [169625].