MOSCOW, July 7 — Ukraine has conducted a sustained campaign of drone strikes against Russian oil refineries and fuel depots since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, targeting facilities across multiple regions to reduce Moscow’s war funding. According to the record, the first major drone strike on a Russian refinery occurred in May 2023 at the Ilsky refinery in Krasnodar Krai. Subsequent attacks hit the Novoshakhtinsk refinery in June 2023, the Tuapse refinery in January 2024, and the Ryazan refinery in March 2024.
The Omsk strike on January 25, 2024, is the deepest penetration, at over 2,000 km from Ukraine. The campaign relies on Ukrainian-made drones, including the UJ-22 Airborne, which has a range up to 800 km, and modified Aeroprakt A-22 light aircraft.
Longer-range models developed by the State Space Agency have also been used. Russia claims to have intercepted many drones, but Ukrainian officials report successful hits on at least 12 refineries by early 2024.
Strategic calculus behind the strikes
The targeting of oil infrastructure is designed to disrupt Russia’s domestic fuel supply and export revenues. According to the source, Russia’s oil and gas exports totaled $180 billion in 2022. The revenue stream directly funds the war effort, and the strikes aim to reduce Moscow’s ability to sustain its military operations.
Officials in Kyiv have framed the refinery attacks as a legitimate military target, given that fuel revenues underwrite Russia’s invasion. The strikes have forced some refineries to suspend operations, creating logistical pressure on Russia’s internal fuel distribution network.
Operational reach and technological adaptation
The Omsk strike demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to hit targets more than 2,000 km from its border. The UJ-22 Airborne drone, with a range of up to 800 km, and modified light aircraft have been used in earlier attacks. The development of longer-range models by the State Space Agency indicates a deliberate effort to expand the operational envelope.
Russia’s air defense forces have claimed to intercept many drones, but the number of successful hits reported by Ukrainian officials suggests that some systems are penetrating. The Ilsky refinery in Krasnodar Krai, hit in May 2023, was among the earliest targets.
The Novoshakhtinsk refinery was struck in June 2023, followed by Tuapse in January 2024, Ryazan in March 2024, and Omsk in January 2024.
Economic and logistical consequences
The attacks have forced periodic shutdowns at several refineries, affecting both domestic fuel supply and export capacity. Russia’s oil and gas export revenues, which stood at $180 billion in 2022, are a primary source of foreign currency and budget income. Disruptions to refining capacity can reduce the volume of processed fuel available for export, even if crude production remains steady.
Ukrainian officials have confirmed successful hits on at least 12 refineries by early 2024, though the full extent of damage and operational impact remains unclear. Russia has not disclosed detailed production losses from individual strikes.
What to watch next
The trajectory of the campaign will depend on Ukraine’s ability to sustain drone production and deployment, as well as Russia’s capacity to reinforce air defenses around critical energy infrastructure. The development of longer-range drones by the State Space Agency suggests that Kyiv is seeking to extend its reach further into Russian territory. The Omsk strike, at over 2,000 km from Ukraine, may not be the farthest attack if new models become operational.
Russia’s response — including potential counter-drone measures and efforts to harden refinery defenses — will shape the next phase of this conflict.
