Drone Attack Halts Key Unit at Russia’s Ryazan Oil Refinery

A Ukrainian drone strike has disrupted operations at a major Russian oil refinery. The attack targeted the Ryazan facility, Russia’s fourth-largest refinery. It occurred on October 23, forcing an emergency shutdown.

According to Reuters, a primary processing unit was damaged. This has intensified existing fuel shortages across several Russian regions.

Ryazan Refinery Attack Disables Critical Infrastructure

The strike hit the Ryazan plant southeast of Moscow. Industry sources confirmed the attack to Reuters. A primary crude distillation unit, known as CDU-4, was urgently halted.

The unit caught fire following the drone attack. Its capacity is 4 million metric tons per year. This equals roughly 80,000 barrels per day.

The CDU-4 unit accounts for about a quarter of the plant’s total capacity. The refinery is owned by Russian oil giant Rosneft. The company did not respond to requests for comment.

Wider Impact on Russian Fuel Production and Supply

The Ryazan refinery is a crucial part of Russia’s energy infrastructure. It processed 13.1 million tons of crude in 2024. The facility produced vast amounts of gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil.

The shutdown has broader implications. Some adjacent units were also stopped. This includes a reformer and a catalytic cracker.

The plant is still processing oil but at a significantly reduced volume. Local authorities have already reported motor fuel shortages. These attacks are a key factor behind the supply issues.

The ongoing targeting of Russia’s energy infrastructure marks a significant shift in the conflict, directly impacting its domestic fuel stability and economic resilience.

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Q1: Which Russian oil refinery was attacked?

The attack targeted the Ryazan oil refinery. This facility is Russia’s fourth-largest. It is located southeast of Moscow.

Q2: What part of the refinery was damaged?

The drone strike damaged a primary crude distillation unit, CDU-4. This unit processes about 80,000 barrels per day. It represents a quarter of the plant’s total capacity.

Q3: Is the refinery completely shut down?

No, the refinery is still operating at a reduced volume. Only specific units were halted after the fire. The main damaged unit is the CDU-4.

Q4: What is the reason for these attacks?

Ukraine has increased strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. This escalation comes as peace talks have stalled. The goal is to impact Russia’s war logistics and economy.

Q5: Who owns the Ryazan oil refinery?

The Ryazan refinery is owned by Rosneft. This is the Russian state-controlled oil company. Rosneft has not publicly commented on the incident.