Ukraine's Energy Infrastructure Under Threat - Petroleum Refineries and Fuel Supplies Ignite

On August 24, 2025, a series of drone attacks orchestrated by Ukraine targeted at least 10 Russian oil refineries and multiple fuel terminals across several regions, including Samara, Ryazan, Volgograd, Oryol, Leningrad, Rostov, and Krasnodar. These strikes have caused significant disruption to Russia's oil refining capacity and production.

The attacks resulted in the disablement of 17 refining units, estimated to have removed roughly 14-17% of Russia's total refining capacity, equivalent to about 1.1 million barrels per day. Key affected refineries include Rosneft’s Ryazan and Lukoil’s Volgograd plants, as well as the Novoshakhtinsk refinery. The latter suffered fires that burned for several days, ultimately halting its operations.

These strikes have led to power outages, train delays, and local fuel shortages, severely affecting Russia’s domestic fuel supply and export capabilities, particularly during the peak demand season for agriculture and tourism.

The attacks on fuel trains have been equally impactful. For instance, Ukrainian drones targeted Russian fuel trains in regions near occupied territories, such as near Tokmak in Zaporizhzhia and Dzhankoi in Crimea. These strikes, involving precision FPV (first-person view) long-range drones, destroyed multiple fuel tank cars, causing large fires and effectively halting fuel transport intended to supply front-line Russian forces.

Strategic Response

Ukrainian Defense Intelligence has prioritised strikes on Russia’s energy sector as a strategic effort to “undercut the war economy of the aggressor,” aiming to reduce fuel supply for military operations and cut Russia’s ability to finance the war. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) observed that these attacks force Russia to divert valuable air-defense assets away from frontlines to protect deep rear energy targets.

Russian officials have acknowledged fires and temporary shutdowns but have not officially quantified the total impact on refining capacity. The sector was already strained by Western sanctions and equipment shortages, so these new attacks add to cascading logistical and supply chain difficulties.

On the ground, Ukrainian forces and partisan activists have praised the effectiveness of these drone strikes as part of broader efforts to disrupt Russian logistics and fuel availability on the front lines.

Notable Incidents

The Volgograd oil refinery, operated by the major Russian energy corporation Lukoil, was one of the hardest-hit facilities. A major air strike hit the refinery on Aug. 14, forcing a shutdown. The roof of a refinery building used as a hospital was damaged and set on fire by falling debris.

NASA’s overwatch satellite imagery showed eight significant hot spots within the perimeters of the Volgograd refinery. Volgograd social media showed images of a massive smoke plume rising from the refinery premises, 12 hours after the attack.

A train hauling at least 30 fuel cars was blown up in the Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia region on August 19, causing nine fuel cars to immediately catch fire and a blaze visible from space. The attack was confirmed by Ukrainian government official Petro Andriushchenko, who also provided drone images and precise grid coordinates.

In summary, the August 2025 Ukrainian drone operations against Russian oil refineries and fuel trains have caused substantial damage to nearly a fifth of Russia’s refining infrastructure, disrupted fuel logistics, and contributed to regional fuel shortages and export reduction, creating substantial challenges for Russian military and economic sustainability amid ongoing conflict.

[1] ABC News, "Ukraine's Drone Attacks on Russian Oil Refineries Disrupt Production," August 25, 2025. [2] BBC News, "Russian Oil Refineries Suffer Major Damage from Ukrainian Drone Attacks," August 25, 2025. [3] The New York Times, "Ukraine's Drone Strikes Cause Chaos in Russian Energy Sector," August 26, 2025. [4] The Washington Post, "Ukraine's Drone Attacks on Russian Fuel Trains Disrupt War Effort," August 27, 2025. [5] The Guardian, "Ukraine's Drone Attacks Highlight Russia's Vulnerabilities," August 28, 2025.

Ukraine's Energy Infrastructure Under Threat - Petroleum Refineries and Fuel Supplies Ignite