Ukrainian drones shut down oil refinery in Saratov, Reuters reports
Photo: The Saratov oil refinery burns after a drone attack (Russian media)
Ukraine's drone attack on the Saratov oil refinery on July 8 successfully disrupted the facility's operations, according to Reuters.
Saratov refinery suspends operations
The Saratov oil refinery has suspended crude oil processing after sustaining damage in the drone attack.
Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters about the shutdown.
Details of the strike
On Wednesday, Saratov region Governor Roman Busargin said one person had been killed and several others injured after what he described as damage to "civilian industrial sites."
Ukraine's Defense Forces later confirmed that the Saratov oil refinery was the target of the strike.
According to the sources, the drones hit the refinery's primary refining unit, CDU-6, which has a processing capacity of 20,000 metric tons per day. It is the refinery's only such unit.
How the Saratov refinery was operating
Exchange data shows that fuel from the Saratov refinery has not been offered on the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange since Wednesday.
The refinery also suspended operations following Ukrainian drone attacks in March and May.
In 2024, the refinery processed 5.8 million metric tons of crude oil, accounting for 2.2% of Russia's total refining capacity. It produced:
- 1.2 million metric tons of gasoline;
- 1.9 million metric tons of diesel fuel;
- 1.0 million metric tons of fuel oil.
Which other Russian oil refineries have halted operations
Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure in an effort to undermine Russia's military capabilities.
Long-range drone and missile strikes have contributed to:
- fuel shortages;
- long lines at gas stations;
- rising fuel prices;
- restrictions on fuel exports.
Earlier this week, Russia's largest oil refinery, the Omsk refinery, also suspended operations following a Ukrainian drone attack.
During the night of July 8, Ukraine's Defense Forces struck two oil refineries, six tankers, the Borisoglebsk airbase, and several enemy road bridges. The Saratov oil refinery was among the targets.
Earlier, on the night of May 31, Ukrainian forces also struck the Saratov refinery, triggering a major fire at the facility.
