Ukraine's Defense Ministry announced Sunday that its long-range strikes have disabled 51% of Russia's oil refining capacity, a significant blow to Moscow's ability to sustain its invasion now in its fifth year. The claim, which could not be independently verified, was based on assessments by Ukrainian intelligence, the General Staff, and the Defense Ministry.
Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara said the strikes on refineries in cities including Moscow, Yaroslavl, Ust-Luga, Perm, Saratov, and Syzran have inflicted substantial damage. "Fifty-one percent of struck refining capacity is a significant blow to the enemy's economy, to its ability to carry out aggression and supply its troop groupings," he said, adding that "deep strikes continue to bring the war to Russian territory."
The attacks have triggered a fuel crisis in Russia earlier this year, forcing authorities to restrict gasoline sales. Russian officials have not publicly detailed the damage, but President Vladimir Putin acknowledged in a rare admission on Oct. 1 that the strikes had cost Russia roughly 1% of its gross domestic product. "They started attacking oil refineries and openly declared the goal of damaging our economy. Did they achieve their goal? Partially," Putin said at the Valdai Club forum.
Russia has historically been the world's third-largest producer of refined fuel products, trailing only the U.S. and China. According to the International Energy Agency, some of Russia's 32 refineries have been hit as many as 15 times since the war began, with one refinery now struck every three days in recent months. The IEA also notes that Ukrainian strikes have increasingly targeted complex equipment that removes impurities from fuel, which can take months to repair. As a result, diesel output has fallen by about 30%, and drivers have faced waits of up to 40 hours at gas stations.
In response, Russian refiners have delayed scheduled maintenance and brought mothballed units back online. Some have lowered fuel quality standards to maintain gasoline supplies, risking engine damage and pollution control issues. The Kremlin has also banned diesel exports, pushing global prices higher and prompting U.S. President Donald Trump on Sept. 13 to urge Ukraine to stop hitting refineries.
Meanwhile, Russia continues its own aerial campaign against Ukraine. A Russian drone attack on Kharkiv late Sunday killed one person and injured six others, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov. Vehicles and an administrative building were set alight, and apartment buildings were damaged. Russia's Defense Ministry said it struck an electrical substation in the Kharkiv region, as well as energy and port infrastructure and maritime vessels used by Ukraine's military. Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 205 drones overnight, of which 172 were shot down or suppressed.
Ukraine has been struggling to fend off intensified Russian aerial attacks on cities, which include ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones. The onslaught aims to terrorize civilians and break their will to resist, officials and analysts say. In a new development, Ukraine says it has used AI-operated machine guns to shoot down Russian drones. Presidential adviser Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov said 12 automated turrets have been installed in Kyiv, with more planned. Air force spokesman Yurii Ihnat confirmed on Ukrainian television that the robotic turrets successfully downed Russian jet-powered drones, including the Geran-5, for the first time.
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its forces downed 199 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions, Crimea, and the Black Sea overnight. In a separate incident, operations at a border crossing between Moldova and Ukraine were suspended Monday after a shell fell near the checkpoint during a Russian attack on Ukrainian infrastructure. The shell hit a passenger bus and a security booth, injuring one border service employee. Border police advised travelers to avoid the area.
