Ukraine launches multiple airstrikes on Russian energy facilities – officials

Russian officials reported yesterday that Ukraine launched multiple drone and missile strikes on Russian energy facilities.

PHOTO: Aerial drone view of an oil refinery in Yaroslavl, Russia. Getty Images

Another Ukrainian airstrike at an oil refinery in central Russia’s Ryazan Region was reported earlier today, which caused casualties, Russian governor Pavel Malkov said on social media platform Telegram. "A drone attack on the Ryazan oil refinery has resulted in a blaze. According to preliminary information, there have been casualties," state-owned media agency TASS quoted Malkov.

The damages caused to the refineries may further reduce the country's processing capabilities and put some upward pressure on the price of Brent crude. Russian refineries are likely to operate at lower capacity in the second quarter of this year because of these attacks. With refineries expected to run at reduced capacity in the second quarter, Russia's shift from export bans to oil production cuts aligns with OPEC+'s strategy for the quarter.

Two other energy facilities in western Russia were attacked by drones yesterday, Russian officials said. 

A crude oil processing unit at one of Russia’s biggest energy firms, Lukoil’s Kstovo refinery in Nizhny Novgorod caught fire after a drone struck the compound yesterday, Russian governor Gleb Nikitin said on Telegram.

Another drone struck a fuel and energy facility in the Oryol region, Russian governor Andrey Klychkov said on Telegram. One of the oil reservoirs at the oil depot caught fire as a result of this attack, TASS reported.

Russian officials have reported Ukrainian airstrikes in several other regions, including Ryazan, Kursk, Shebekino, Tula, Belgorod, and Voronezh.

The recent attacks on Russian refineries have already resulted in reduced crude processing, according to a Bloomberg report. In mid-February, Russian refineries processed about 380,000 b/d of less crude compared to December due to maintenance work following drone strikes.

By Aparupa Mazumder 

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