Ukrainian Drone Strikes Cut Russian Oil Refining to Two‑Decade Low

In July 2026 a sustained Ukrainian drone campaign hit Russian oil infrastructure 30 times, 18 of which targeted refineries. The attacks drove daily refining output down to 3.6‑3.9 million barrels, the lowest level recorded since the early 2000s and about one‑third below the 2020‑2025 seasonal average.

Key facilities hit included the Omsk refinery – Russia’s largest – as well as Lukoil plants in Volgograd and Perm, a Rosneft refinery in Ryazan, and several tankers, port installations and pipelines. Ukrainian drone producer Fire Point is estimated to launch around 100 drones per day, with roughly one in ten reaching its target. Russia responded with tighter export bans on gasoline, jet fuel and diesel, while seeking to offset shortages with supplies from Belarus and Kazakhstan.