Fire at Syzran Oil Refinery Sparks Concern: Latest Incident in Russian Refinery Attacks

Following the latest Ukrainian attack on Russian infrastructure, a fire broke out at the Syzran oil refinery in Russia’s Samara Oblast.

The incident, reported by Governor Dmitry Azarov on March 16th, follows a series of targeted attacks on Russian oil refineries by Ukrainian drones.

Although the attack resulted in no casualties, it underscores Ukraine’s concerted effort to disrupt Russia’s oil production capabilities.

In recent days, Ukrainian drones have targeted refineries across various regions, including Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod, and Leningrad Oblasts.

These strikes have collectively impacted approximately 12% of Russia’s oil-processing capacity, as reported by Bloomberg.

Governor Azarov confirmed that while the Syzran refinery was engulfed in flames, an attempted attack on the Novokuibyshevsk refinery was successfully thwarted.

Unverified footage circulating on various Telegram channels depicts the magnitude of the fire at the Syzran refinery, with emergency services responding to the scene.

The timing of these attacks coincides with Russia’s three-day presidential elections, where President Vladimir Putin seeks re-election for a fifth term.

Other oil refineries successfully targeted by Ukraine’s SBU in the recent days

Ryazan Refinery

Among the primary targets was the Ryazan oil refinery, controlled by the Russian energy giant Rosneft.

The refinery, with a significant installed capacity of approximately 350,000 barrels per day, serves as a crucial component of Russia’s refining infrastructure. Industry sources indicate that the facility processes roughly 12.7 million metric tons of Russian crude annually, accounting for approximately 5.8% of the country’s total refined crude output.

The drone attack resulted in the shutdown of two critical primary oil refining units, severely impacting the refinery’s operational capacity.

Novoshakhtinsk Refinery

Further south, in Russia’s Rostov region, the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery temporarily suspended operations following the incursion of hostile drones onto its premises.

Although operations resumed later in the day, the disruption underscored the vulnerability of Russia’s oil infrastructure to unconventional warfare tactics. Unlike some refineries focusing on domestic fuel production, Novoshakhtinsk primarily produces straight-run fractions destined for export markets.

Norsi Refinery

In another incident, Norsi, Russia’s fourth-largest refinery, experienced a devastating fire following a drone attack attributed to Ukrainian forces. Located near Nizhny Novgorod, Norsi is operated by Lukoil and plays a pivotal role in Russia’s refining landscape.

The facility processes approximately 15.8 million tons of Russian crude annually, contributing significantly to the country’s refined crude output.

The attack damaged Norsi’s main crude distillation unit, resulting in a substantial reduction in production capacity.

Kirishi Refinery

The Kirishi refinery, situated in the Leningrad region, was also targeted, with reports indicating the destruction of a Ukrainian drone near its vicinity.

Kirishi, operated by Surgutneftegaz, stands as one of Russia’s premier refineries, processing around 17.7 million tons of Russian crude annually.

The facility’s strategic importance is underscored by its substantial contribution to Russia’s refined crude output, along with its significant production of various petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel fuel, fuel oil, and aviation fuel.

Near term impact of the strikes

Striking Russian oil facilities poses a significant challenge for President Vladimir Putin, particularly as tensions escalate with the West over Putin’s war on Ukraine.

With domestic gasoline prices already sensitive ahead of the March 15-17th presidential election, these attacks further exacerbate concerns in Russia, a ‘gas stations masquerading as a country’ about its energy security and future economic stability.

In response to the growing pressure, Russia implemented a six-month ban on gasoline exports on March 1st, aiming to mitigate the impact of the attacks on its domestic energy supply.

However, the situation remains precarious for sanctioned Russia, particularly considering its historical reliance on Western technology to exploit and refine its vast energy reserves.

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Russian Air Force

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