Attacks on Russian refineries: end of ‘gas station country’

The Russian refineries that have been intensively exploding in the ‘gas station country’ over the past two weeks are one such asymmetrical Ukrainian response.

Late last week, the Ukrainian Security Service blew up one of Russia's largest oil refineries. This time in Volgograd, 700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Two drones hit the primary oil refining unit, without which the refinery will lose a significant portion of its production capacity. Moreover, the Volgograd refinery is one of the key refineries. Russian experts confirm that it is a major producer of industrial and motor oils.

This is the third time the SBU has bombed Russian refineries in the last two weeks. At the end of January, SBU drones attacked a marine terminal in Ustilug, Russia, and an oil refinery in Tuapse.

“According to Reuters, the attacks have cut oil exports from the gas station country by almost a third. The SBU is causing billions of dollars of damage to the Russian economy, with the budget suffering, contracts being disrupted, and logistics being significantly hampered. And there is a new reduction ahead.”

In addition, every powerful strike deep into enemy territory pulls Russian air defense forces away from the front and works for the Ukrainian army. But Shoigu's subordinates have not been very successful in covering the refinery in the rear so far. All three attacks were 100% successful. Even after two successful attacks, the Russians were unable to stop the air raids on the third refinery. And let me remind you that oil refineries work for the Russian military-industrial complex and are a legitimate target for Ukraine.

In April 2014, the late Republican Senator John McCain said that Russia is a "gas station masquerading as a country". Little has changed in 10 years. The SBU source emphasized in a comment to the press that the attacks on Russian refineries will continue. By striking the refineries, the SBU is causing billions of dollars in losses to Russia. Without refineries, the "gas station country" will not be able to exist. And if it stops selling fuel to its customers, it risks being "shut down". And I sincerely wish for that.

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About the author. Oleksiy Holobutsky, political scientist.

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