A drone strike has disrupted operations at one of the largest facilities of the Novo-Ufa Oil Refinery, owned by Rosneft. The incident occurred on April 2, resulting in a fire that forced the refinery to shut down one of its primary crude processing units.
Sources within the industry confirmed that the blaze erupted at the CDU-5 unit, which is crucial as it accounts for approximately 28% of the refinery’s total processing capacity. The refinery operates three additional crude processing units.
In 2024, the Novo-Ufa refinery processed 3.8 million tons of crude oil, translating to about 76,000 barrels per day, which represents 1.4% of Russia’s overall oil refining output. During the same period, the facility produced 1.2 million tons of gasoline, 2.6 million tons of diesel fuel, and 1.1 million tons of fuel oil.
This attack is part of a broader campaign targeting Russian military and oil infrastructure. Notably, on March 31, drones struck the Ust-Luga port for the fifth time in ten days, hitting an oil terminal.
According to Reuters, these drone assaults, along with attacks on oil pipelines and the seizure of tankers, have led to a suspension of at least 40% of Russia’s export capabilities.
A drone attack on the Novo-Ufa Oil Refinery has halted operations at a key processing unit, reflecting ongoing assaults on Russian infrastructure. The incident underscores the vulnerabilities faced by the country's oil sector amid escalating conflicts.