The Ukrainian Armed Forces confirmed on May 26 that their recent strikes have led to the suspension of operations at the Syzran oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region. The attack, which occurred on May 21, 2026, targeted the facility’s primary processing unit, which accounts for over 70% of the refinery’s capacity.
According to a statement from the Ukrainian military, the refinery’s operations were effectively halted as a result of the strikes. Details regarding the extent of the damage have not been disclosed. Prior to this confirmation, Reuters reported on the refinery’s shutdown based on information from two unnamed sources.
The Syzran refinery processed approximately 4.3 million tons of crude oil in 2024, contributing to a total of 267 million tons processed across Russia that year. The refinery’s primary processing unit is expected to remain offline for over a month due to the damage sustained.
In related developments, the governor of the Samara region, Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, reported two fatalities resulting from the attack, although he did not specify the target of the strikes. The refinery is owned by Rosneft, which has not responded to requests for comment from Reuters.
Recent reports indicate that many major oil refineries in central Russia have been forced to either halt or reduce production following a series of drone strikes by Ukrainian forces. For instance, the Lukoil-Nizhnegorodnefteorgsintez refinery in Kstovo suspended operations at its primary processing unit after a Ukrainian attack on May 20.
Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian forces have conducted at least 158 strikes on Russian oil refineries, with 32 of those occurring in 2026 alone—three times the number during the same period in 2024. The Ryazan and Saratov refineries have been particularly targeted, each experiencing 15 attacks, while the Afipsky, Ilysky, and Tuapse refineries in the Krasnodar region have faced 12 strikes each.
Following recent assaults on the Perm refinery, it has been noted that there are now no major oil refineries in the European part of Russia that have not been subjected to attacks. The only significant facilities remaining outside the strike zone are the Omsk and Angarsk refineries, located beyond the Ural Mountains.
Ukrainian military operations have led to the suspension of the Syzran oil refinery's activities in Russia, marking a significant impact on the region's oil processing capabilities. This development follows a series of drone strikes targeting various refineries across Russia, indicating a sustained effort by Ukrainian forces to disrupt Russian oil production.