Ukraine strikes hit Orsk and Kirishi refineries amid shortages

Ukrainian forces carried out long range drone strikes on Russian oil facilities on Oct. 3 and Oct. 4, hitting the Orsk refinery in Orenburg Oblast and the Kirishi refinery in Leningrad region, officials on both sides said. The attacks, which local authorities and Ukrainian security services said involved multiple unmanned aerial vehicles, reignited a campaign that analysts and market intelligence firms say has already removed a large share of Russia’s refining capacity from operation and is contributing to regional fuel shortages.

Russian regional governors confirmed fires at the two plants, with Orenburg governor Evgeny Solntsev saying emergency services were at the Orsk site and that operations were not disrupted. Leningrad governor Alexander Drozdenko said air defenses shot down seven drones over Kirishi and that a blaze in an industrial zone had been extinguished. Ukrainian security officials and the General Staff have claimed responsibility for several recent strikes, saying operations were carried out by special units using long range strike drones.

The strikes form part of a sustained campaign since August that analysts say has hit at least 15 to 16 of Russia’s roughly 38...