Strikes on Russian oil refineries have caused the country's oil refining output to plummet to 2009 levels
Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and port infrastructure have set back the industry’s development in Russia to late-2009 levels.
This is stated in an ISW report.
On April 30, Bloomberg reported that data from the analytical firm OilX indicates that the average production volume of Russian oil refineries fell to 4.69 million barrels per day, the lowest daily refining rate since December 2009.
This decline in refining activity occurred against the backdrop of a significant intensification of Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refining facilities in March and April 2026.
“The Ukrainian military significantly intensified its strike campaign against Russian oil assets in March and April 2026,” the report states.
In particular, Ukrainian forces struck Russian oil infrastructure in the Krasnodar and Perm Krais, as well as the Orenburg Oblast, between April 29 and May 1, including a strike on the Tuapse oil refinery—the fourth such strike since April 1.
Satellite images and geolocated video footage published on May 1 show fires at the oil refinery. The Krasnodar Krai Operational Headquarters acknowledged that a fire broke out in the port of Tuapse on May 1 as a result of strikes by Ukrainian drones.
As a reminder, residents of Tuapse were urged to evacuate following the drone attack (video).
Residents of Tuapse, Russia, are increasingly complaining about unbearable living conditions in the frontline city. The once-popular resort has turned into an area of environmental disaster and constant danger due to regular explosions at local industrial facilities.
In Tuapse, Russia, while cleaning up the aftermath of an oil spill, the city beach was covered with a new layer of pebbles. At the same time, local residents and environmentalists claim that traces of fuel oil are still visible near the water and that a full cleanup has not taken place.
