(KYIV) – Ukraine Strikes Russian Refineries and Black Sea Oil Terminal as Lukoil Faces Sanctions Fallout
Ukraine has intensified its campaign against Russia’s oil industry, targeting refineries and export terminals across the country in a wave of drone and missile strikes that have severely disrupted Moscow’s fuel production and exports.
In recent days, Ukrainian long range drones and naval drones have struck multiple Russian oil facilities, including the Tuapse oil terminal on the Black Sea coast and the Sarat and Orsk refineries deep inside Russian territory. Videos verified by local and independent sources showed fires and explosions at these sites, which together produce more than 13 million tonnes of refined products annually.
The Tuapse export terminal, a vital route for Russian crude shipments, remains offline following the latest strike. With no tankers able to load, the losses are estimated at tens of millions of dollars per day. Ukraine is expected to continue targeting energy infrastructure as part of its strategy to weaken the Russian economy and restrict funding for the war.
Key Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Oil Infrastructure
| Facility | Location | Estimated Output | Recent Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuapse Export Terminal | Black Sea, Krasnodar Region | Major export hub | Offline after repeated drone strikes |
| Sarat Refinery | Saratov Region | 7 million tonnes per year | Damaged by fire after drone attack |
| Orsk Refinery | Orenburg Region, near Kazakhstan border | 6.6 million tonnes per year | Struck by long-range drone; large-scale fire reported |
Meanwhile, Russia’s state linked energy giant Lukoil has halted operations at its West Qurna 2 oil field in Iraq, citing “force majeure” due to sanctions and financial restrictions that prevent the company from conducting dollar transactions. The field, located northwest of Basra, produces around 480,000 barrels per day, accounting for about 9 per cent of Iraq’s total output.
Officials in Baghdad confirmed that if Lukoil cannot resume operations within six months, the company could lose its stake entirely. Western officials suggest that several countries, including Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova, are also considering seizing or nationalising Lukoil assets within their borders due to sanctions risks.
| Country | Asset Type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Iraq | Oil field (West Qurna 2) | Operations halted, possible seizure |
| Bulgaria | Refinery | Under review for nationalisation |
| Romania | Retail and logistics | Potential state takeover |
| Moldova | Fuel distribution | At risk of confiscation |
In Africa, Russia’s ambitions have also suffered setbacks. The Kremlin’s long delayed plan to establish a naval base in Port Sudan, its first in Africa since the Soviet era, has collapsed due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The deteriorating security situation has forced Russian personnel to withdraw, effectively ending the project.
Inside Russia, the Kremlin has launched a drive to recruit reservists to guard critical infrastructure such as refineries and railways amid escalating Ukrainian attacks. Officially described as “training for infrastructure protection,” analysts believe it amounts to another form of hidden mobilisation. Critics say many reservists will likely be coerced into frontline service once they re-enter the military system.
At the same time, Moscow is tightening control over its population by pushing a new state developed messaging platform called MAX, which is intended to replace WhatsApp and Telegram. The app allows authorities to monitor communications closely, prompting comparisons with North Korea’s restricted intranet system. Around 70 per cent of Russian university students have reportedly refused to install the app despite government threats of expulsion.
The Kremlin describes the MAX initiative as a “national security measure,” but critics and digital rights groups have called it a step toward building a fully monitored “electronic concentration camp.”
The escalation comes as the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin continues his war against Ukraine, while domestic unrest grows over censorship, economic decline and the forced mobilisation of soldiers. Despite energy shortages and repeated blackouts caused by Russian missile strikes, Ukraine remains defiant. Citizens continue to adapt—farmers planning for the next harvest, children attending underground schools, and civilians enduring air raids in daily life.
Ukrainian officials say the attacks on Russian refineries are part of a broader strategy to erode Moscow’s military logistics and reduce revenue from oil exports that fund the invasion. The ongoing strikes, combined with Western sanctions, have left Russia struggling to maintain both its economy and its invasion.
