(MOSCOW) – Ukraine has intensified its campaign of strikes on Russian energy and oil infrastructure, successfully knocking out power in part of Moscow and setting fire to oil terminals on the Black Sea. The series of coordinated attacks over the weekend mark one of the largest Ukrainian drone and missile operations inside Russian territory since the start of the full scale war in 2022.
Russian Telegram channels reported that around 700 drones and missiles were launched by Ukraine in simultaneous waves across multiple regions. This large scale operation comes as Ukraine’s domestic production of attack drones and missiles increases, allowing it to retaliate against Russia’s years-long bombardment of Ukrainian cities.
Among the most significant targets was the Tuapse oil terminal on Russia’s Black Sea coast, which caught fire following a Ukrainian drone strike. Satellite images and videos from residents of the nearby city of Gizel Dari showed large fires and oil leaking into the sea. The terminal, which Russia has repeatedly tried to repair after previous Ukrainian strikes, remains crucial for loading tankers carrying Russian crude for export.
In another blow, Ukrainian operatives reportedly sabotaged a 400-kilometre pipeline system near Moscow. The pipeline, capable of transporting up to 7.4 million tonnes of fuel annually to Russian military facilities, was disabled after coordinated explosions hit three sections. The strike triggered temporary blackouts in parts of the Moscow region, exposing Russia’s vulnerability deep within its own territory.
Further Ukrainian missile strikes hit energy hubs in Bryansk and Oryol, causing major fires at thermal power plants and substations. Even in Russian-occupied Luhansk, a thermal plant used by Russian troops was hit, leading to widespread power outages.
According to Ukraine’s Security Service chief Vasyl Maliuk, Ukraine has successfully carried out 160 strikes on Russia’s oil and energy sector in 2025 alone. These attacks have targeted refineries, terminals, depots, and pumping stations, causing severe disruptions to domestic fuel supplies.
| Impact of Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Oil Infrastructure (2025) | Details |
|---|---|
| Total successful strikes | 160 |
| Facilities hit (Sept–Oct) | 20 |
| Refineries destroyed | 6 |
| Oil terminals hit | 2 |
| Pumping stations disabled | 9 |
| Reported fuel shortage | 20% nationwide |
| Refinery downtime | 37% |
| Regions affected by fuel shortages | 57 |
| Export restrictions | Ban on petrol exports until end of 2025 |
Ukraine’s strategy directly targets one of the Kremlin’s key funding sources. Roughly 90% of the Russian Ministry of Defence’s budget comes from oil and energy revenue. By striking these facilities, Kyiv aims to weaken Russia’s ability to sustain its war effort.
The economic toll is already visible. Bloomberg data shows Russian fuel exports and oil prices have both dropped to four-year lows. The Kremlin’s own figures indicate economic growth has slowed for the third consecutive quarter, with GDP expanding by only 1% in the first nine months of the year, down sharply from 4.3% in 2024.
Russia’s financial strain has pushed it to issue sovereign bonds in Chinese yuan, as Western markets remain closed. The Finance Ministry plans to sell up to 400 billion rubles (approximately USD 5 billion) worth of these bonds, with maturities of three to ten years. Analysts say Russian companies will likely be compelled by the Kremlin to purchase them.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to dismantle Russia’s air defences. Kyiv says it has destroyed 48% of Russia’s Pantsir S1 short range systems, exceeding Russia’s yearly production rate of 30 units. These systems are vital to protecting Russian territory from drone attacks.
Ukraine’s defence forces also conducted a special operation near Pokrovsk, deploying troops by helicopter to disrupt Russian positions. Analysts described the mission as a targeted raid rather than a large scale counterattack.
In retaliation, Russia launched 223 drones overnight targeting Ukraine’s gas infrastructure. Ukraine intercepted 206 of them, an impressive 86% success rate. However, Russia’s missile attacks have reached a two and a half-year high, suggesting a campaign to cripple Ukraine’s energy grid before winter.
Adding to the tension, the Pentagon has authorised the potential transfer of US Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, pending approval from Washington. If supplied, the missiles would significantly extend Ukraine’s strike range into Russian territory.
Russia faces a growing energy and economic crisis largely of its own making as winter approaches. With power outages now reaching Moscow and oil exports at record lows, the Kremlin’s war chest is beginning to feel the impact of Ukraine’s relentless strategy of targeting the source of Russia’s strength, its energy empire.
