Russia is unlikely to be able to protect all refineries from Ukrainian strikes - UK intelligence

Recent Ukrainian drone attacks have disabled at least 10% of oil refinery capacities in Russia. It is unlikely that Russia will be able to defend all refineries from ongoing Ukrainian strikes

The UK Defense Ministry's report states this.

Citing reports from Ukrainian intelligence services, reconnaissance indicates that Ukraine has recently launched strikes on 12 Russian oil refineries using drones. Specifically, on March 15-16, three major oil refineries in the Samara region were targeted.

The UK Defense Ministry notes that some of the targeted facilities, located approximately 900 km from Ukraine, are among the most remote, underscoring the range of Ukrainian UAV attacks.

British intelligence emphasizes that such strikes inflict financial losses on Russia, impacting the domestic fuel market. Specifically, recent attacks have disrupted at least 10% of the capacities of Russian oil refineries.

Meanwhile, the comprehensive repair of oil refineries may take some time, and due to sanctions, it could be further prolonged.

“According to a Russian Energy Ministry official, there are plans to deploy Pantsir air defence systems to protect the refineries. However, given the size and scale of Russia’s energy industry, it is unlikely that Russia will be able to protect all the vulnerable facilities,” British intelligence emphasizes.

• On March 22, the Financial Times reported, citing its own sources, that the United States urged Ukraine to cease attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and oil refineries, as it could lead to an increase in global prices.
• Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, said in a speech at the Kyiv Security Forum that this is our war and we will not ask anyone for permission to engage in the military-industrial complex of the Russian Federation.
• In particular, on the night of March 23, residents of Novokuibyshevsk, Samara region, reported a fire in the area of the Rosneft oil refinery after a drone strike.