Story perspectives

Ukraine says strikes disabled 51% of Russia’s refining capacity

By Drooid · Oct 6, 2026, 6:21 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Ukraine's Defense Ministry says its strikes have disabled 51 % of Russia's oil-refining capacity.
The strikes created a fuel shortage, prompting Russian authorities to limit petrol sales.
President Vladimir Putin estimates the refinery damage costs Russia about 1 % of its GDP.
President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged not to target civilian sites while intensifying refinery attacks.
U.S. President Donald Trump urged Ukraine to refrain from striking Russian oil facilities as diesel prices rise.

History

Historical Context

In January 1991 the U.S.-led coalition launched Operation Desert Storm, flying more than 100,000 sorties that dropped 88,500 tonnes of bombs on Iraq’s oil-refining network. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry now says 51 % of Russia’s refining capacity is disabled, echoing the Gulf War’s use of refinery attacks to cripple an adversary’s fuel supply.

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Story summary

Ukraine's Defense Ministry says its strikes have disabled 51 % of Russia's oil-refining capacity.
The strikes created a fuel shortage, prompting Russian authorities to limit petrol sales.
President Vladimir Putin estimates the refinery damage costs Russia about 1 % of its GDP.
President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged not to target civilian sites while intensifying refinery attacks.
U.S. President Donald Trump urged Ukraine to refrain from striking Russian oil facilities as diesel prices rise.

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