(TATARSTAN, RUSSIA) – Ukraine has expanded its deep range drone campaign with a successful strike on a major refinery in the Republic of Tatarstan, at a time when Russia is beginning to shut down mobile internet access across multiple regions. The refinery, located more than 1,100 km from the Ukrainian border, produces an estimated 8.3 million tonnes of petroleum products annually. Footage shared on Russian social channels showed thick smoke rising above the facility following what appeared to be a coordinated drone attack.
The strike is the first recorded attack on this specific refinery, indicating Ukraine’s growing long range drone capacity. Only days earlier, another refinery, the ORC plant, was forced to halt crude processing. Although Russian officials described the stoppage as “equipment maintenance”, video evidence showed significant fire damage.
According to international energy monitors, Russia’s revenue from crude and petroleum product exports fell to 13 billion US dollars in October, a decline of 2.3 billion US dollars compared with the same month last year. The drop reflects both lower prices and shrinking export volumes linked to repeated Ukrainian strikes.
A review of Russian federal budget data shows the country experiencing deepening monthly deficits. The government projects a year end budget gap of 5.7 trillion rubles, approximately 70 billion US dollars. Russia continues to avoid large sovereign borrowing, but corporations and state linked firms have been taking on substantial debt, much of it linked to maintaining wartime operations.
Recent data also shows an accelerated issuance of Russian treasury bonds, with 1.8 trillion rubles of new debt released in a single round. Authorities have also confirmed plans to begin borrowing in Chinese yuan in December, compelling Russian companies receiving Chinese payments to purchase these bonds.
Ukraine has meanwhile confirmed the operational use of its domestically produced Flamingo cruise missile. Several launches were reported overnight, targeting locations in Crimea, Zaporizhzhia and Russian territory. Officials indicated that serial production had been underway for months and that the system is now ready for regular deployment.
Ukrainian forces have also targeted power infrastructure in areas under Russian occupation, including strikes in Donetsk and Oryol. Videos posted online showed fires and damage at energy facilities. Ukrainian officials argue that these attacks mirror the Russian strategy of repeatedly striking Ukraine’s energy grid.
Further incidents were reported in Russia, including a fire at a pro-chemical plant producing military polymers and the crash of a Su-30 fighter jet near the Finnish border, killing both pilots. Russian emergency services also responded to severe infrastructure failures, including a major water main burst in Novorossiysk.
Across several regions, including Ulyanovsk and St Petersburg, residents have experienced shutdowns of mobile internet access. Local authorities stated that access would be limited to government approved services until the conflict ends. The only fully functioning service is the state’s unified digital portal, accessed through a mandatory government app known as MAX.
Residents have criticised the move, and legal challenges have begun in some areas, although officials insist the restrictions are mandated at federal level. Polling from the Levada Centre indicates falling public support for family members joining the military, dropping from 52 percent in mid-2023 to 30 percent today.
Separately, Ukraine is facing a significant corruption case involving alleged embezzlement within the state nuclear energy company Energoatom. Prosecutors have charged eight individuals, including senior officials, with bribery and misuse of public funds intended for security works at energy sites. Authorities estimate losses at roughly 100 million US dollars.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the resignation of senior ministers linked to the issue and has imposed sanctions on the two individuals accused of orchestrating the scheme. In a public address, he stated that misuse of public funds during wartime is unacceptable and pledged full support for ongoing investigations.
Russia’s Reported October Oil Revenues
| Category | Amount in US dollars |
|---|---|
| Crude and refined export revenue | 13 billion |
| Change from previous year | -2.3 billion |