Russia's fourth-largest refinery halts after Ukrainian drone strike, Reuters reports
Illustrative photo: Nizhny Novgorod Refinery was hit by drones on April 5 (Russian media)
The Nizhny Novgorod Refinery (NORSI), Russia’s fourth-largest oil refinery, has suspended operations following a Ukrainian drone attack on April 5, Reuters reports.
Sources said the plant halted operations after being hit by Ukrainian UAVs. The refinery, owned by Lukoil and the country’s second-largest gasoline producer, sustained significant infrastructure damage.
Following the Sunday drone strike, Lukoil stopped offering gasoline, diesel fuel, and fuel oil produced at the Nizhny Novgorod Refinery for sale.
Nizhny Novgorod region Governor Gleb Nikitin confirmed that two facilities on the refinery’s premises were hit in the Ukrainian attack. In addition to production units, a power plant and several nearby buildings were damaged. Supplies of petroleum products from the facility may be suspended at least until the end of April.
The Nizhny Novgorod Refinery is the fourth-largest in Russia. It has a processing capacity of 16 million tons of oil per year (about 320,000 barrels per day). The plant is located around 450 kilometers east of Moscow, making it a key supplier for central Russia.
Ongoing strikes on refineries are forcing Russia to cut exports and look for ways to cover fuel shortages on the domestic market, directly affecting logistics for its army in Ukraine, the outlet notes.
On the night of April 5, Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck several key Russian military and infrastructure sites. Among the targets was the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez refinery, where a large-scale fire broke out after the attack.
In addition, Russia’s Sheskharis oil terminal in Novorossiysk also halted operations for an indefinite period after Ukrainian strikes. Overnight on April 5, drones attacked Novorossiysk, with videos circulating online showing a fire at the Sheskharis terminal and reports of explosions.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine also confirmed that Ukrainian defenders struck the oil terminal at the port of Ust-Luga, located on the Baltic Sea, again on the night of April 7. Ukraine has been targeting it for the second consecutive week. In effect, the port has been put out of operation and is currently unable to load oil onto tankers.
