(KRASNODAR KRAI, RUSSIA) – Ukrainian unmanned aerial operations have once again targeted two major Russian oil facilities, striking the Ilsky refinery in Krasnodar Krai on the night of 19 November and the Ryazan refinery in central Russia on the night of 20 November. The attacks form part of an ongoing Ukrainian strategy aimed at disrupting the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s fuel network, which Ukraine views as a core pillar of Moscow’s war machinery.
The Ilsky refinery, located in Krasnodar Krai, processes an estimated six million tonnes of oil each year. It is also counted among the region’s largest employers and plays an important role in the local economy. The Ryazan refinery, which produced about thirteen million tonnes of fuel in the previous year, is one of the most significant refining sites in western Russia.
Ukrainian drone units, referred to as the Birds of the Unmanned Systems Forces, conducted what Ukrainian sources described as a coordinated courtesy visit. The operation was carried out by the First Separate SBS Centre, a formation developed from the Fourteenth SBS Regiment. According to Ukrainian statements, the strikes are part of a broader campaign against about forty Russian refinery sites that serve as key nodes in the Kremlin’s wartime supply chain.
Ukrainian officials claim that nearly twenty of these refinery facilities have already been damaged to varying degrees by previous drone operations. Some infrastructure, they say, remains severely affected and continues to operate at reduced capacity. Ukraine argues that consistent pressure on Russia’s energy sector is necessary to limit its ability to sustain aggression.
Ukrainian commentary accompanying the attacks used metaphorical language to stress the long term nature of the campaign, suggesting that where obstacles cannot be bypassed, they must be overcome through persistent effort. Ukrainian operators signalled that further actions should be expected.
Fuel supplies in some Russian regions, especially those close to the frontline or heavily dependent on limited logistics, have reportedly become increasingly strained. Ukrainian sources assert that petrol is becoming more scarce and that oil and gas supplies are under growing pressure as a result of repeated strikes on energy infrastructure.
Reported annual processing volumes of the two targeted facilities:
| Refinery | Annual Processing Volume | Approximate Volume in US Dollars* |
|---|---|---|
| Ilsky (Krasnodar Krai) | 6 million tonnes | Value varies by global crude price** |
| Ryazan Refinery | 13 million tonnes | Value varies by global crude price** |
