An explosion at the Novokuibyshevsk refinery on August 2nd. Photograph: Frame from video/Exilenova+/Telegram
Even as Moscow’s forces pummel Ukraine’s power grid ahead of winter, Kyiv’s expanding drone and missile arsenal is inflicting almost daily damage on Russian oil facilities that are crucial to the Kremlin’s finances and military operations.
At least 16 of Russia’s 38 oil refineries, which turn crude into petrol and diesel and other products, have been struck this year in a fiery campaign that Ukraine euphemistically calls “kinetic”, “direct” or “long-range” sanctions on its enemy’s vast energy sector.
Ukraine hopes the attacks will be more effective than the partial and patchy economic sanctions imposed by the West since Moscow launched its all-out invasion in February 2022, and they are already having an impact on ordinary Russians.
Industry analysts say Russia – the worl
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