Ukrainian drones attacked the Nizhny Novgorod oil refinery in Kstovo, Russia, early Wednesday morning, sparking a powerful fire that burned through the area. The strike is part of Ukraine’s campaign to target Russian oil facilities and deprive Russia of its main source of state revenue.
The Kstovo plant, which refines 5% of Russia’s total oil output, has been hit multiple times this month, with reports suggesting that several other refineries have also been targeted. The blasts have depressed Russian petroleum product production by more than a tenth.
Ukraine’s strategy involves using drones to cripple Russia’s energy industry, and the country has developed over a dozen different models of long-range strike drones in just three years. These drones can travel up to 1,000 miles and strike with pinpoint accuracy, making them a cheap alternative to rebuilding refineries.
The US is also backing Ukraine’s efforts, with fresh sanctions on tankers hauling Russian oil put in place by the Biden administration. However, it remains unclear how President Trump will proceed on this issue.
Ukrainian officials have stated that they will continue their campaign against strategic facilities supporting Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, regardless of US involvement. The attack on the Kstovo refinery is another example of Ukraine’s determination to disrupt Russia’s energy supplies and weaken its war effort.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/01/29