Drone Strikes Force Russia to Consider Cutting Oil Production, Sources Say
Russian oil pipeline monopoly Transneft has limited oil storage capacity and warned of possible production cuts following Ukrainian drone attacks on key ports and oil refineries.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to Reuters.
The sources in the Russian industry report that Transneft, which controls more than 80% of oil, has limited the capacity of oil storage companies and warned of a possible reduction in the amount of raw materials accepted in the event of further damage to infrastructure.
The attacks affected key export ports and oil refineries, including Ust-Luga and Primorsk, as well as at least 10 refineries, temporarily reducing Russia's refining capacity by almost a fifth.
Since August, Kyiv has intensified its strikes on Russian energy facilities in an attempt to limit the Kremlin's oil and gas revenues, which account for between a third and a half of the Russian federal budget.
According to the sources, these attacks could force Russia, which produces about 9% of the world's oil, to cut production in the future if the strikes continue.
In his address on September 14, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted that Ukraine’s long-range drone and special forces operations against Russia’s oil industry are delivering the most immediate form of sanctions.
“The most effective sanctions are the ones that work instantly – fire at Russian oil refineries, at their terminals and depots,” he said
He praised Ukrainian units for targeting refineries, terminals, and depots, calling the strikes “truly significant losses” for Russia.
Zelenskyy pointed out that Ukrainian drones can now hit targets over 1,000 kilometers away, noting recent damage at the Primorsk terminal and stating that other hubs, including Ust-Luga, remain in Kyiv’s sights.
As The Gaze informed earlier, а Russian oil refinery in Kirishi stopped operating a key unit after a Ukrainian drone attack, leading to a temporary reduction in production capacity at one of the country's largest plants.