Ukraine targets another major Russian oil refinery
Ukraine has hit another Russian oil refinery, continuing its targeted attacks on Russian oil refining and exporting assets, the country’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
IMAGE: Flags of Russia and Ukraine. Getty Images
The Slavneft-YANOS refinery in the Yaroslavl region, north-east to Moscow, has an estimated capacity of 300,000 b/d, or 15 million mt/year, Reuters reported. It is co-owned by Gazprom Neft and Russian state-owned oil company Rosneft.
The facility came under attack as Ukraine looks to diminish Russia’s refining and export capabilities amid soaring global oil prices. Brent’s price has felt some upward pressure following the attack.
“The Defense Forces of Ukraine operated against targets associated with the Yaroslavl oil refinery – about 700 kilometers from our territory,” Zelenskyy said on social media platform X.
A satellite image from NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) detected a heat anomaly at the refinery, indicating a possible fire at the site, Bloomberg reported.
The strike came shortly after Ukraine targeted Rosneft-operated Syzran refinery in Russia’s southwestern Samara region. Zelenskyy posted footage of fire and smoke coming out of the facility.
Russia’s oil revenues have moved higher since the Middle East conflict began on 28 February, pushing global oil prices above $100/bbl.
Moscow has further gained from renewed demand for Russian barrels in India, following US waivers allowing the sale of Russian crude already loaded on tankers.
Subsequently, Ukraine has stepped up strikes on Russian refineries and oil export terminals to curb Moscow’s oil exports and reduce its energy revenues.
By Aparupa Mazumder
Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online
