Ukrainian strikes disabled 15 major Russian oil refineries, causing $23 billion in losses, intelligence says
Ukrainian strikes had forced 15 of Russia's 38 major oil refineries to shut down and caused more than $23.2 billion in losses to the country's oil industry as of late September 2026, according to Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR).
Another 12 refineries were forced to reduce production, the agency said on November 5. Processing volumes at the affected facilities had fallen by 55.4% compared with the beginning of the year.
The heaviest damage was reported in Russia's Volga, Central and Southern federal districts.
Among the affected facilities were the Slavneft-YANOS refinery, the Kirishi refinery, the Ryazan and Moscow refineries, and Lukoil's Perm refinery. Together, these facilities account for approximately one-third of Russia's oil refining capacity, according to Ukrainian intelligence.
HUR estimated the cumulative losses to Russia's oil industry from Ukrainian strikes at more than $23.2 billion.
The agency also said that replacing damaged equipment alone could cost Russia more than $20 billion, with international sanctions and the high cost of components complicating repairs.
Russia turns to remote refineries
To compensate for lost capacity, Russia has increased processing at refineries farther from Ukraine, including facilities in Omsk, Achinsk, Khabarovsk, Mari and Vanino, according to HUR.
In September, those facilities processed a combined 906,000 barrels of oil per day, accounting for approximately 24% of Russia's total refining volume.
However, Ukrainian intelligence said the strategy has significant logistical limitations.
"The operation of remote facilities allows the Kremlin to temporarily compensate for the fuel shortage. However, the possibilities for such substitution are limited by the geographical location of the facilities," HUR said.
The agency added that transporting petroleum products is complicated by shortages of railway rolling stock and road tankers.
HUR also pointed to a September 28 decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin restricting access to information about Russia's oil refining volumes, describing it as an attempt to conceal the industry's condition.
The intelligence agency's estimates of refinery shutdowns, production losses and financial damage could not be independently verified.