Khmara: More than 51% of Russian oil refining capacity out of operation from Ukrainian attacks

More than 51 percent of Russian oil refining capacity has been put out of operation by Ukrainian attacks, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence announced on 4 October.

Defence Minister Yevhen Khmara, citing analysts from the intelligence services, the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff, called the result the outcome of “carefully planned, systematic and comprehensive actions aimed at crippling the Russian war machine and destroying its military-economic potential,” as The Kyiv Independent reports.

“51 percent of damaged oil refining capacity is a significant blow to the enemy’s economy, to its ability to wage aggression and to supply its military formations,” Khmara said.

Ukraine considers refineries legitimate military targets, because they supply fuel and funds to the Russian armed forces. The ministry listed recent attacks on refineries in Moscow, Yaroslavl, Kirishi, Perm, Ilsky, Saratov and Syzran.

The 51% figure is an increase from the 45% reported by the General Staff on 21 September. It follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decree of 28 September, which restricted access to data on Russian refineries and energy exports.

Ukrainian long-range drones and missiles regularly reach targets more than 1,500 km from Ukrainian-controlled territory. A new record was set on 9 September, when a Fire Point FP-1 drone hit a gas facility 3,200 km from the border. The ministry announced that Ukraine tripled the production and procurement of long-range drones in 2026 and will continue: “This is not the limit… We will continue to increase our long-range strike capabilities.”