There is growing discussion in Ukraine about the possibility of attacks on Russian oil refineries (REFs) as a way to force Russia not to strike at Ukrainian energy. Military expert and founder of the charitable organization “Reactive Mail” Pavlo Narozhnyi emphasized the importance of such facilities for the Russian economy on Radio NV, noting that their destruction could significantly affect key industries, in particular the agricultural sector.
Narozhnyi explained that Russian industry is largely dependent on oil products, and Russia does not actually have the technology to build refineries. “The closest partner that can help them is China, but even China is wary of the risk of falling under secondary US sanctions if it starts building oil refineries for Russia,” he noted.
The expert also emphasized that if the refinery is destroyed, it will not be able to resume its work. The distance to the refinery, which became the target, is about 1,800 km in a straight line, but given the need to fly around military facilities and air defense systems, the actual distance may exceed 2,000 km. Narozhnyi noted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have at their disposal various models of long-range drones that are capable of striking at such distances.
Asked about the possibility that the attacks on Russian refineries indicate a lack of agreement between Ukraine and Russia, Narozhnyi suggested that this could be an attempt to force the enemy into negotiations. “The Ukrainians are demonstrating that we have the ability to strike at their critical facilities, and this could push Russia to seek a compromise, especially on the eve of the heating season, when they are stockpiling cruise missiles,” he noted.
Thus, strikes on Russian refineries can not only weaken the aggressor's economy, but also become an important tool in the arsenal of Ukrainian forces in the fight for their energy independence.
