Strikes on refineries create near collapse in Russia's oil industry
Photo: Strikes on oil refineries create near collapse in Russia
Ukrainian defense forces have consistently struck Russian oil refineries, nearly causing a collapse in the country’s oil and gas industry, said aviation expert Kostiantyn Kryvolap in a commentary to the RBC-Ukraine YouTube channel.
"The Russians have the Ust-Luga terminal, which was struck last year, and for a while it was closed, but in May they reopened it. And now, these strikes we've delivered on the refineries... Ryazan Refinery is about 18 million tons per year, Kstovo Refinery is 17 million, Volgograd Refinery is about 14 million tons," he listed
Kryvolap detailed that Russia’s total refining capacity is 340-380 million tons per year, with about 54% of that processed. The strike on the oil pumping station at Ust-Luga has halted operations, demonstrating the effectiveness of Ukrainian defense forces’ efforts.
"In the oil and gas industry, regularity and diversification of supplies are very important. And if you have one pipe and nothing is flowing through it, no matter how great your capacity is, nothing will work. And if you look at the refineries we've struck, here is an interesting figure. Russia consumes about 10 million tons of aviation fuel per year – this is for both civil and military aviation. So, Ryazan Refinery produces about 2 million tons, Kstovo produces about the same, and Volgograd Refinery produces no less than 1 million tons," Krylolap added
As he notes, this means that for a significant period, the Russian army will be without aviation fuel. Russia has relocated its planes about 700 km away, fearing drone strikes.
"We are creating an almost collapse in their oil and gas industry," he concluded.
