Story perspectives

Fuel shortages spread as strikes disable Russia’s refineries

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 10:19 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Ukraine Drone Strikes

Ukraine’s drone strike disabled the 110,000-bpd Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Russia’s Rostov region.
A drone raid also hit an unnamed industrial facility in Perm region, home to a 260,000-bpd refinery.
Over 450 drones were shot down in Moscow during a massive strike that ignited a large refinery.
Fuel shortages now affect 92 percent of Russia’s regions, prompting rationing and a temporary ban on gasoline, diesel and jet-fuel exports.

Summary

Russia Helicopter Intrusion

A Russian Mi-8 helicopter entered Polish airspace near Braniewo for 42 seconds on Sept. 23.
Poland’s Armed Forces scrambled fighter jets and placed ground forces on standby after the incursion.
A joint UN statement demanded an immediate Russian ceasefire and the return of detained civilians.
Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya warned Russia could launch attacks from Belarusian territory.
President Alexander Lukashenko denied plans to let Russia use Belarus for new offensives on May 21.

History

Historical Context

In October 1973 OAPEC imposed an oil embargo on the United States, United Kingdom and other Israel supporters, driving crude from $3 to $12 a barrel by March 1974 and sparking gasoline rationing across Europe. Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russian refineries and a Russian Mi-8 incursion into Poland echo that same energy-weapon logic, reviving fears of supply-driven price spikes and NATO-Russia tension.

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Ukraine Drone Strikes

Ukraine’s drone strike disabled the 110,000-bpd Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Russia’s Rostov region.
A drone raid also hit an unnamed industrial facility in Perm region, home to a 260,000-bpd refinery.
Over 450 drones were shot down in Moscow during a massive strike that ignited a large refinery.
Fuel shortages now affect 92 percent of Russia’s regions, prompting rationing and a temporary ban on gasoline, diesel and jet-fuel exports.

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