Ukrainian drone strikes cripple Russian refineries, prompting gasoline imports from India
Ukrainian drones have repeatedly hit Russian oil refineries, driving processing capacity down to its lowest level in more than two decades. By early July 2025 the refineries were able to meet only about 65 % of the seasonal gasoline demand, forcing long queues at fuel stations and rationing in several regions, including days when private motorists on the occupied Crimea peninsula could not purchase fuel.
To alleviate the shortage Moscow arranged a shipment of at least 67 000 tonnes of gasoline from India. The fuel was produced at the Nayara Energy refinery in Vadinar, a plant that is 49.13 % owned by Rosneft and processes exclusively Russian crude. After the EU imposed sanctions on Nayara in July 2025, the trade now runs through intermediaries.
In a separate incident a Ukrainian drone attack set fire to a Wildberries logistics warehouse in the Russian city of Ryazan, injuring six people. The governor of Ryazan region said falling drone debris ignited fires on industrial premises.
Entities: India · Nayara Energy · Rosneft · Russian Federation · Ukrainian drones
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The gasoline was produced at the Nayara Energy refinery in Vadinar, which is 49.13 % owned by Rosneft and processes only Russian crude oil. (Details from the articles citing Nayara Energy ownership and feedstock.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A Ukrainian drone attack set fire to a Wildberries logistics warehouse in Ryazan, injuring six people. (Report from the article covering the Ryazan incident.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Falling drone debris ignited fires on industrial premises in Ryazan, according to Governor Pawel Malkov. (Quote attributed to the Ryazan governor in the article.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] At least 67,000 tonnes of gasoline were shipped from India to Russia via the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal. (Ukrainska Pravda reported the shipment.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Ukrainian drone attacks have reduced Russian refinery processing capacity to its lowest level in over 21 years. (Ukrainian portal Ukrainska Pravda reported the drop in capacity.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Fuel stations across Russia experienced long queues and rationing; on the occupied Crimean peninsula gasoline was not sold to private individuals on certain days. (Article description of the domestic fuel shortage.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The EU imposed sanctions on Nayara Energy in July 2025, after which non‑Russian oil suppliers ended business relationships and trade moved through intermediaries. (Article text describing the EU sanction and its effects.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] By early July 2025 Russian refineries covered only about 65 % of the seasonal gasoline demand. (Ukrainska Pravda data cited in the articles.)