Ukrainian long-range drones struck two major Russian refineries in back-to-back nights this week, hitting the Ilsk plant in Krasnodar Krai on 19 November and the Ryazan facility a day later, according to the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert “Madyar” Brovdi.
Ukraine has stepped up strikes on Russian refineries in recent months to hit both the fuel that powers Moscow’s military and the exports that help fund the war. Kyiv says that sustained pressure gradually erodes the Kremlin’s ability to sustain its military campaign, making diplomatic solutions more likely.
Ilsk and Ryazan handle combined 19 million tons annually
Brovdi said Ilsk processes more than 6mn tonnes of crude a year and is a key supplier for the south of the country, while Ryazan handled about 13mn tonnes last year, placing it among Russia’s highest-output plants.
Both the Ilsk and Ryazan refineries have been struck multiple times in recent months, reflecting a sustained campaign by Ukrainian drones.
Ukrainian campaign creates fuel shortages, forces Moscow to divert defensive resources
He described the pair of strikes as part of a broader campaign targeting around 40 refineries across Russia. Nearly two dozen have suffered some level of damage over the past year, ranging from minor disruptions to extended shutdowns.
Reduced output has already caused shortages in some regions, while transport costs have risen as supplies are rerouted to plants farther from the front.
