Ukrainian Drone Attack Disables Critical Equipment at Syzran Oil Refinery

Ukrainian drones struck critically important equipment at the Syzran oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region, without which it cannot operate.

Astra reported on this, citing sources from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations.

According to their data, five drones hit the facility’s territory, three of which directly struck the critically important equipment.

As a result, the AVT-6 primary oil processing unit, the L-35-6 secondary processing unit, and a pumping station were damaged. According to the media, Russian air defense shot down five more drones approaching the refinery.

There were no casualties – all 240 refinery employees were in shelter during the attack.

Earlier, on August 15, the Syzran oil refinery was already hit by Ukrainian drones. The attack caused large fires on the premises, and it was later reported that key equipment had been damaged – the primary oil processing unit.

Thanks to the released photos, analysts identified the target as the ELOU-AVT-6 unit and also recorded additional damage to several tanks.

This unit is critically important for the refinery’s operation, as it covers the processes of atmospheric and vacuum distillation, as well as secondary distillation and gasoline stabilization.

The aftermath of the strike forced the Syzran oil refinery to completely halt processing and crude oil intake, which significantly impacted the facility’s operations.

Syzran Oil Refinery

The Syzran oil refinery is part of PJSC Rosneft and has an annual crude oil processing capacity of 8.9 million tons. Its products cover a wide range of petroleum products from gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation kerosene to bitumen.

The facility plays an important role in supplying fuel to the Samara, Saratov, and Penza regions, as well as parts of central Russia. Additionally, it supplies fuel for airfields and military units of the Central and Southern Military Districts of the Russian Armed Forces, which gives it strategic significance.

The Ukrainian strike drones have repeatedly targeted the Syzran oil refinery. Attacks were recorded in February and March 2024, when fires broke out on the facility’s premises.

Fuel Crisis in Russia

Serious disruptions in gasoline supply and significant price increases for remaining stocks have been reported in several regions of Russia and in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

The shortage is most acute in Crimea. Gasoline has completely disappeared from some gas stations, while at others it appears only sporadically, leading to a persistent fuel shortage on the peninsula.

Other regions of Russia are also affected. In Transbaikalia, price tags for AI-95 gasoline at gas stations have gone dark, and the remaining supplies of this gasoline are being sold only to corporate clients. In Vladivostok, there is a shortage of two gasoline grades – AI-92 and AI-95.
In Buryatia and Primorsky Krai, the fuel shortage has caused a sharp increase in prices – on average by 5 to 10 rubles per liter.

The causes of the fuel shortage have not been officially confirmed, but it is likely linked to the systematic efforts of the Ukrainian Defense Forces to destroy Russia’s oil refining infrastructure.