Russian forces are carrying out systematic strikes against Ukraine's oil industry. The goal is to destroy a budget-forming, export-oriented sector of the economy, says Stepan Kapshuk, Director General of the Ukroliyaprom Association, in comments to Latifundist.
The objective of these strikes is to undermine one of Ukraine’s key economic sectors, which generates substantial foreign currency revenues and supplies exports to dozens of countries worldwide.
Attack on Bunge's plant in Dnipro: a demonstrative strike on US business
On 5 January, Russian forces launched a drone attack on a plant owned by the US company Bunge in Dnipro.
As a result of the strike, approximately 300 tons of vegetable oil spilled onto the roadway, blocking traffic along the city’s embankment for several days. The facility produces, among other products, the well-known Oleina brand.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has described the attack as deliberate, noting that Russian forces have repeatedly attempted to strike this particular facility. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has added that even ordinary sunflower oil has become a target in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Strikes on ports and factories: an attempt to destroy exports and foreign currency inflows
According to industry data, vegetable oil and sunflower meal account for more than 15% of Ukraine’s foreign currency earnings and nearly 20% of its total commodity exports.
In late 2025, Russian forces also attacked other oil and fat enterprises, including the Allseeds terminal in Pivdennyi and Kernel’s Illichivsk Oil and Fat Combine in Chornomorsk.
“Recent strikes on port-based plants, and now on Bunge, demonstrate a planned destruction of the sector. The Russians are targeting a budget-forming, export-oriented industry,” Kapshuk emphasizes.
Bunge also owns a modern, high-tech plant in Mykolaiv, which has been operating since 2016. This facility specializes in processing sunflower seeds and soybeans, producing vegetable oil, lecithins, and meal.
