March from hell: Ukraine hits 10 refineries, 12 air defense systems, 5 Russian factories, halting missile chip supply for 6 months (MAP)

Over the past month, Ukraine has carried out a series of powerful strikes on important facilities of Russia’s military-industrial complex. The “March harvest” was marked by a record number of hits on strategic targets in Russia: 5 factories and 10 oil refineries, the Defense Ministry reports. 

Facilities were burning from the temporarily occupied territories of Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk oblasts to areas deep in the Russian rear, including the Leningrad Oblast.

Destruction of factories, aircraft, and air defense

Thanks to precision strikes, 5 strategic factories were hit over the course of the month.

Kremniy El plant, Bryansk

One of Russia’s largest microelectronics enterprises.

A production building and a component warehouse were hit, disrupting the supply chain for microchips used in Iskander missiles and air defense systems for up to 6 months.

Aviastar aircraft plant, Ulyanovsk

The parking area and a climate-controlled shelter were damaged, and several Il-76 and Il-78 aircraft were hit.

Aviastar is a key enterprise for the production and maintenance of heavy transport aircraft that support troop logistics and in-air refueling of strategic aviation.

123rd Aircraft Repair Plant, Staraya Russa

Hangars for Il-76 aircraft were hit, and a strategic A-50 early warning aircraft was damaged.
This plant is a major center for repairing Russian aviation equipment, and its disablement could critically slow the restoration of the occupiers’ air fleet.

Alchevsk Metallurgical Plant, Alchevsk

A large-scale fire broke out at the facility following the strike.

The plant produces artillery shell casings (casting and primary processing of large-caliber blanks) and manufactures and repairs armored steel for military equipment.

Granite Innovation Center, Sevastopol

The only service center for S-400 air defense systems in Crimea was hit. This makes rapid repair of complex surface-to-air missile systems on the peninsula impossible, creating prolonged gaps in air defense coverage.

Oil, ports, and fuel under attack: Russia loses billions and wartime logistics

Long-range strikes on Russia in March halted a significant portion of its oil exports in the Baltic region.

In total, 10 oil industry facilities were hit, including refineries, terminals, and ports.

• Albashioneft and Afipsky refineries
  Key suppliers of diesel fuel for Russia’s southern military group.
• Port Kavkaz and Sheskharis oil terminal (Novorossiysk)
  Critical hubs for oil and fuel transshipment supporting the Black Sea Fleet.
• Saratov refinery and Bashneft-Ufaneftekhim
  Major processing giants that ensure internal military reserves and fuel market stability.
• Kirishi and Yaroslavl refineries
  Primary sources of aviation fuel for airfields in Russia’s western and northern districts.
• Transneft – Port Primorsk and NOVATEK-Ust-Luga
  Strategic Baltic terminals. Their damage blocks export revenues and disrupts energy logistics.

Additionally, 14 fuel and lubricant depots were struck. These facilities support rapid refueling of tanks and armored personnel carriers immediately before deployment.

Air defense failures and strikes on fleet

During the month, 12 S-300/S-400 air defense systems were hit. This deprives the enemy of the ability to control airspace and protect strategic rear areas. As a result, Russia’s air raid alert map will now show significant gaps in defense across entire regions.

Strikes were also carried out on 10 short- and medium-range air defense systems, including Tor, Tor-M1, Tor-M2U, Buk-M1/M2/M3, Pantsir-S1, and Tunguska.

In March, the Defense Forces also struck the patrol icebreaker Purga at the Vyborg Shipyard. The frigates Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov were also hit.

Additionally, three Iskander missile systems and two Bastion systems were struck.

These systems had been used for attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure.