Ukraine Strikes Russian Refineries in New Drone Wave
A renewed Ukrainian drone campaign has struck major Russian refineries, raising the risk of renewed domestic fuel shortages.
Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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Ukraine has conducted a new wave of drone strikes on Russian oil refineries in November 2026, after an unofficial pause in late October. The strikes have affected at least nine refineries from Siberia to the Baltic Sea and may have disrupted capacity to produce about 55% of Russia's gasoline.
Why it matters
The strikes threaten to restore fuel shortages and gas station lines in Russia, which had already been strained by refining volumes falling to a 20-year low in summer 2026. Sources expect the pause in strikes to end, so the campaign's effect on global energy markets remains a watch point.
Ukraine has struck Russian refineries at least 120 times this year, with the Syzran refinery operating at one-third capacity or idle for most of the past six months. The full extent of lasting damage at each site has not been disclosed.
The players
Rosneft
Rosneft is Russia's state-controlled oil company and operator of the Ryazan refinery, which has repeatedly suspended fuel production this year.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States, whose pressure reportedly led Ukraine to unofficially pause refinery strikes in late October.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the President of Ukraine, whose government conducts the drone campaign against Russian refineries.
The details
Ukraine carries out the strikes using drones against refineries protected by anti-drone nets, steel cables and shipping containers, which have proved ineffective. Rosneft's main Ryazan refinery has suspended fuel production at least four times this year, and the Tuapse refinery has not resumed operations since shutting down in April.
Timeline
Late October 2026: Ukraine's strike campaign pauses unofficially under pressure from US President Donald Trump.
November 2026: A new wave of strikes hits major Russian refineries.
US midterm elections, November 2026: Sources expect the strike pause to last until this point or longer.
Market Landscape
The renewed strikes continue Ukraine's sustained campaign against Russian refineries, which has now produced at least 120 attacks this year. The pressure on Russia's refining base comes as sanctions have cut off Western spare parts for secondary refining units.
Fuel supply disruptions in Russia could translate into longer lines and shortages at gas stations for ordinary drivers. Global oil and fuel markets may also feel the pressure if the strike campaign reduces Russian refined product exports.
The takeaway
Refinery attacks can quickly alter fuel availability, so energy buyers should track both production outages and the duration of any strike pauses. The gap between a pause and a resumed campaign is often where price volatility appears.
Further reading
For broader coverage of supply disruptions across the sector, see Oil and Gas.
Source note: This article includes information reported by UAWire.
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