Russian Oil Refinery Shuts Down for Months After Ukrainian Drone Strike

A Russian oil refinery more than 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) from Ukraine has been completely shut down after a Ukrainian drone strike, with repairs potentially taking up to six months, the regional governor said Aug. 13. The Aug. 11 attack hit the Orsknefteorgsintez refinery in Orsk, Orenburg Oblast, which can process around 6 million metric tons of crude oil annually. Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed the facility was targeted.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Orenburg Governor Yevgeny Solntsev said the strike damaged “key infrastructure” that cannot currently be restored. “The equipment is imported, and given the sanctions, repairs could take up to six months. The plant has been completely shut down,” Solntsev said on social media. The extent of the damage could not be independently verified. The shutdown is the latest blow in Ukraine’s expanding campaign against Russia’s oil infrastructure, which has increasingly targeted refineries, fuel depots and other facilities deep inside Russian territory. Kyiv has stepped up long-range strikes on Russia’s energy sector throughout 2026, seeking to disrupt the fuel supplies that help power Moscow’s war machine while putting additional pressure on the Russian economy. The attacks have also aggravated a growing fuel crunch inside Russia, contributing to gasoline shortages, price increases, sales restrictions and export curbs in multiple regions. Other Topics of Interest Putin’s New Clothes: Sinking Fleets, Staged Strength, Fear of Anti-War Millions Putin’s naval uniform projects wartime strength as Ukraine hits Russia’s fleet, shadow shipping faces pressure, and anti-war sentiment worries the Kremlin. Solntsev said Orenburg Oblast was preparing for the possibility of prolonged fuel shortages. “We are preparing for the worst-case scenario. We will have to rely on imported fuel,” he said, adding that logistics were already being reconfigured. Of the region’s 287 gas stations, around 80% were still operating, according to the governor. Ukraine followed up with another strike on Russia’s oil sector overnight Aug. 13, targeting the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat refinery complex in Bashkortostan. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.