Key production unit at Volgograd Refinery in Russia back in action after UAV attack disruption
The Volgograd Oil Refinery has restored the operation of a key production unit that was damaged during a UAV attack in the early hours of May 12, Reuters reported.
The crude oil distillation unit (CDU-1), which was damaged during the attack, accounts for 43% of the refinery's capacity and provided 49% of actual oil refining in the first quarter of 2024.
The Volgograd Refinery was already attacked by Ukrainian drones in early February 2024. A fire broke out there at the time.
Read also: Drone strikes fuel train in Russia's Volgograd Oblast, causing explosion, derailment, and spill
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence drones attacked the Volgograd Refinery for the second time on May 11.
Another UAV attack on the refinery was reported on May 12.
Drone strikes on Russian refineries
Ukraine has regularly conducted long-range drone strikes on oil refineries in Russia since late January.
At least 13 successful attacks have been carried out on Russian refineries, causing a 12% reduction in Russia's oil production and processing, Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) head Vasyl Malyuk reported.
Revenue from oil exports constitutes a third of Russia's budget and a significant portion of its military funding.
Read also: Ukrainian drones hit Russian oil refinery in Tuapse, halting operations — Reuters
Reported attacks have targeted the following facilities:
Tuapse Refinery, Jan. 24
Volgograd Refinery, Feb. 3
Afipsky Refinery, Feb. 9
Ilinsky Refinery, Feb. 9
Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez Refinery, March 12
Ryazan Refinery, March 13
Kaluga Refinery, March 15
Syzran Refinery, March 16
Kuybyshev Refinery, March 16
Slaviansk Refinery, March 17
Novokuibyshev Refinery, March 23
TANECO Refinery, April 2
Ilsky Refinery, April 27
Slaviansk Refinery, April 27
Ryazan Refinery, May 2
Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat Refinery, May 9
Kaluga Refinery, May 10
Tuapse Refinery, May 17
Russia is facing a gasoline shortage due to the oil refinery attacks.
Diesel prices for Russian consumers surged nearly 10% in a week, and gasoline prices have risen 20% since the beginning of the year, Politico reported on April 30.
According to NV's sources, on May 17, SBU and HUR attacked Russian military and logistics facilities located in Crimea and on the Russian Black Sea coast.
SBU and HUR jointly attacked Sevastopol Bay, the intelligence officers attacked Novorossiysk seaport, and SBU attacked Tuapse Oil Refinery.
According to NV's sources, this is the second time this year that SBU drones have “visited” Tuapse refinery, which the Russians have begun to restore, but now will have to start repairs all over again.
Read also: HUR drone attack leaves Lukoil’s Volgograd refinery damaged
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