Kyiv’s strategy of targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure with long-range drones is beginning to show visible results. According to a CNN tally, Ukrainian drones have struck at least ten major Russian energy facilities in August alone. These facilities together account for over 44 million tonnes of annual output, representing more than 10% of Russia’s refining capacity.
Among the hardest-hit sites was the Lukoil refinery in Volgograd, the largest in southern Russia, which was struck again on August 19. Refineries in Saratov and Rostov were also targeted, with massive fires breaking out that burned for days.
Petrol Shortages Spread Across Russia
The strikes have triggered fuel shortages in several Russian regions and occupied Crimea. Moscow has tried to frame the crisis as a “logistics issue,” but residents are reporting empty pumps and soaring prices.
Crimean activist group Yellow Ribbon mocked Moscow’s struggles, writing on Telegram: “The understanding that this is the result of the good drones’ work on the Russian economy does not allow me to be sad.”
Prices Surge Despite Subsidies
Despite subsidies, petrol costs are climbing fast. Wholesale fuel prices in St Petersburg rose by nearly 10% in August and have surged about 50% since January, CNN reported. Much of this increase is being passed on to consumers, with Russia’s far east among the hardest-hit regions.
Energy analyst Sergey Frolov told Kommersant: “Unfortunately, our forecast is unfavourable for now. We will most likely have to wait at least another month for prices to fall.”
Moscow’s Desperate Countermeasures
To contain the crisis, the Russian government has imposed a ban on petrol exports, though this has instead boosted crude oil exports. Due to international sanctions that restrict access to technology and spare parts, repairs at damaged refineries are still progressing slowly.
Moscow has also turned to Belarus for help, with state refiner Belneftekhim confirming a surge in Russian demand for its oil products in recent weeks.
Ukraine Expands Strikes Beyond Refineries
Ukraine’s military claims its drone and sabotage campaign has caused $74 billion in damage in 2025, with nearly 40% of strikes hitting 500 kilometres inside Russia. While these figures are difficult to independently verify, visual evidence shows widespread damage to refineries, pumping stations, and oil storage facilities.
Kyiv has also expanded operations to hit Russia’s oil export network. Just last week, drones struck the Druzhba pipeline, which delivers crude to Hungary and Slovakia. Both governments expressed frustration to the EU, warning that Kyiv’s actions were damaging their economies more than Moscow’s.
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International Fallout
The crisis has even drawn the attention of US President Donald Trump, who, according to CNN, sent a handwritten note to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expressing he was “very angry” about the disruption.
As the drone campaign continues, analysts say Russia’s economic resilience will be tested further, with rising domestic discontent and strained foreign partnerships looming on the horizon.
