Ukraine says strikes have disabled nearly 43% of Russia's oil refining capacity

KYIV — Ukraine claimed on Saturday that its strikes on Russian energy infrastructure have disabled 42.74% of Russia’s oil refining capacity as of early July.Ukraine’s General Staff said on Telegram that its forces had struck eight Russian oil refineries over the past month.It said more than 60 storage tanks had been destroyed or critically damaged, including 58% used for oil products and 42% for crude oil.The military estimated the industry’s losses at $13.5 billion since August 2025.”The consequences for the aggressor are a fuel crisis and reduced production,” the General Staff said, claiming that repair work has been repeatedly delayed because Russia is unable to obtain the necessary spare parts and equipment.Russia has not responded directly to Ukraine’s latest claims, and the allegations could not be independently verified due to the ongoing war.Following recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, several facilities suspended operations for maintenance, prompting Moscow to periodically impose restrictions aimed at stabilizing the domestic fuel market.Russian authorities have introduced fuel sales restrictions in more than 40 regions, as well as in Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014.Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged on Sunday that Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure were causing disruptions.”We are currently seeing a certain shortage, but it’s not critical,” Putin said, adding that the strikes “are obviously creating problems” but that damaged energy facilities are being restored relatively quickly.