Attack on the oil refinery in Yaroslavl: What kind of facility is it, and why is it important to Russia?
Last night, Ukrainian defense forces attacked an oil refinery in Yaroslavl, Russia, using long-range kamikaze drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially confirmed the strike.
"Glavkom" has gathered information on what is known about the targeted facility, "Slavneft-YANOS," and why this plant is critically important to the Kremlin.
A Key Russian Facility
- Gigantic scale: The facility ranks among the top five largest oil refineries in Russia in terms of oil processing volume. Its capacity exceeds 15 million tons of oil per year.
- Supplying the Russian capital: The plant is a key fuel supplier for the Central Federal District of the Russian Federation. It accounts for a significant share of the petroleum products market in Moscow and the Moscow metropolitan area, specifically supplying gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel to the capital’s airports.
- Supplying the Occupation Army: Slavneft-YANOS products are actively used by the Russian Ministry of Defense. The plant produces specialized fuels and lubricants for military equipment and aircraft involved in the war against Ukraine.
- Unique production: In addition to standard fuel, this enterprise is one of the leading producers of bitumen, paraffin-wax products, and base oils in Russia.
The plant is one of the most technologically advanced in the Russian Federation. In recent years, the company has been actively constructing a large-scale deep oil refining complex (including zinc-coated coking and hydrogen production units). The goal was to increase the depth of oil refining to nearly 100% and completely phase out the production of cheap fuel oil in favor of high-value jet fuel and diesel.
The Scale of the Tragedy
The U.S. fire monitoring system NASA FIRMS detected at least two fire outbreaks directly within the industrial zone where PJSC "Slavneft-YANOS" and the oil pumping station are located.
Due to the scale of the threat and the consequences of the explosions, Russian security forces urgently closed the M-8 "Kholmogory" federal highway at the exit from Yaroslavl toward Moscow. Operations at the local airport were also completely suspended.
Lukoil’s refinery in Kstovo partially halted operations following a drone attack — Reuters.
In Ryazan, strange precipitation with the smell of fuel was reported following the attack on the refinery
Attacks on oil refineries have costRussia over $7 billion since the start of the year — WP.
The day before, the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked the Tuapse oil refinery for the fourth time in the last two weeks. A massive fire broke out on the refinery grounds following a series of explosions.
Drones attacked Tuapse again, causing fires at the refinery and in the port.
In Tuapse, refinery capacity has decreased following the latest attack.
