Caspian Policy Center’s Live Map of Russian Refineries documents 61 attacks across 24 Russian refineries and the resulting level of damage since January 2024. Click on the refineries for more information.
Ukraine launched 61 drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and countless more on storage depots and pumping stations since January 2024, in a campaign planned to cripple Russia’s hydrocarbon infrastructure. The most recent attack on March 16th hit Moscow’s largest refinery and put 50% of Moscow’s fuel supply at risk. While not a coordinated effort with the Caucasus and Central Asia, Ukraine’s strategy is fueling a Caspian energy realignment. At least 40 of Ukraine’s strikes resulted in fires or lasting damage to refineries. Ukrainian operations he been credited with dropping the volume of Russian oil refined to its lowest level in 12 years and a nearly 10% reduction in Russian seaborne oil exports in 2024. Although some facilities were eventually repaired, this took time, money, and specialized pieces of equipment often produced by Western countries hostile to Russia, only to be struck again. Ukrainian efforts he been relentless at draining Russian resources, hampering the security of its fuel supply, and inflicting a significant psychological blow to the Russian war machine.
In the absence of reliable Russian oil and gas, Europe is left with a critical supply gap for its energy infrastructure. With its abundant reserves of oil and natural gas, and governments eager to expand commercial relationships, Central Asia and the Caucasus are emerging as a potential solution to fill this fuel gap.
Read more here - War Above and Fuel Below: Ukraine’s Drone Strategy Meets the Caspian Energy Pivot