Ukraine's drone strikes on Russian fuel sites spike prices, echo WWII tactics
Further strikes on Russian refineries and fuel depots have resulted in a reduction in fuel production and an increase in prices within Russia. Ukrainian drones are targeting the fuel infrastructure to hinder supplies from reaching the front. Production dropped by 4%. Prices at stations surged by more than 25%.
Ukraine is aiming at the Russian fuel infrastructure to disrupt supplies for the invading forces. This approach mirrors effective strategies used by the Allies during World War II (raids on the fuel production facilities of Nazi Germany). Kyiv hopes to achieve a similar outcome through drone attacks.
As previously mentioned on money.pl, Ukraine has triggered another fuel crisis for Russia. Strikes on refineries have led to a decrease in refining capacities by estimates ranging from 4% to as much as 7% of fuel production. Prices at petrol stations have climbed by 25%. The Kremlin has found itself compelled to restrict fuel sales to international markets to ensure sufficient supplies for domestic needs.
In March, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) confirmed carrying out attacks on refineries including in Slavyansk in Krasnodar Krai, Novoshakhtinsk in the Rostov region, as well as in Ryazan, Kstovo in the Nizhny Novgorod region, and in Kirishi in the Leningrad region. Reports in both Russian and Ukrainian media also mentioned raids on refineries in Syzran and Novokuibyshevsk in the Samara region and a fire near a thermal power plant in Petersburg.
In the first half of the month, there were reports of drone attacks on industrial facilities vital to the Russian armaments industry - Mikhailovsky Mining and Processing Plant in Zheleznogorsk in the Kursk region and metallurgical plants of the Severstal concern in Cherepovets in the Vologda region.
Reuters estimates that the processing capacities of Russian refineries taken out of operation in the first quarter of 2024 as a result of drone attacks amounted to about 4.6 million tonnes of crude oil (an average of 370,500 barrels per day), which is approximately 7% of the processing capabilities of all plants in the country.
The US expresses concern
The US authorities have consistently stressed that they do not endorse Ukraine's attacks on Russian territory nor provide assistance for such operations.
On 22 March, the British newspaper "Financial Times" reported that Washington had been pressuring Kyiv, urging them to halt drone attacks on refineries. These reports suggest the United States is worried about a potential increase in crude oil prices on global markets.
