Ukraine has struck a sixth Russian crude‑processing plant in just one week, signaling an intensified campaign against Moscow’s energy infrastructure. The latest attack targeted the Afipsky refinery in the Krasnodar region, where a drone strike ignited a fire, forcing the facility to halt operations. The assault joins a series of strikes that have shut down major refineries, including the Yanos plant in Yaroslavl—capable of processing roughly 300,000 barrels per day—and other installations owned by Rosneft and Gazprom Neft. Since Oct. 30, six Russian refineries and a key crude‑pumping station have been hit, aiming to curb Kremlin oil revenues that fund the war. The strikes resume after a brief pause that coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls for calm and upcoming U.S.-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi. While Ukraine has not publicly confirmed the attacks, they add pressure on Russian oil output and could free more crude for export. Meanwhile, Russia continues to assault Ukrainian infrastructure, including ports, power plants, and residential areas, with a recent school bombing in Zaporizhzhia raising the death toll to nearly 100.
Afipsky refinery, owned by Forte Invest, processes about 180,000 barrels per day and has faced multiple prior attacks. The Yanos facility, co‑owned by Rosneft and Gazprom Neft, supplies fuel to Moscow and surrounding regions. Trump’s diplomatic push and the upcoming Abu Dhabi talks highlight the delicate timing of the strikes.
The targeting of energy sites is intended to cut funding for the Kremlin’s war effort and shift the conflict’s burden onto Russia’s economy.
Source: Bloomberg Markets · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing