Defence Ministry: Ukraine has disabled up to 20% of Russia's oil refining capacity

Ukraine's strategic long-range attacks have significantly impacted Russia's energy sector, reportedly disabling up to 20% of its oil refining capacity. This disruption has prompted fuel sales restrictions in roughly 20 Russian regions, according to Gert Kaju, head of the defense readiness department at the Estonian Ministry of Defence.

In the past week, Russia has continued its advance in the Kupiansk direction of the Kharkiv Oblast, as well as towards Sloviansk, Kostyantynivka, and Pokrovsk in the Donetsk Oblast. These advances have occurred despite Russia reportedly losing an average of 1,300 soldiers daily.

“

Since Ukraine has disabled up to 20 percent of Russia's oil refining capacity with successful long-range strikes, different sales restrictions on fuel have been introduced in about 20 regions.

Simultaneously, Ukrainian forces have launched counterattacks along almost the entire front line. Kaju described the combat in the grey zone as "quite intense," with both Russian and Ukrainian forces engaged in both defensive and offensive operations. The ongoing conflict highlights the dynamic nature of the battlefield, with neither side achieving a decisive breakthrough.

The impact on Russia's oil refining capabilities is a critical development, potentially affecting its domestic fuel supply and its ability to fund the war effort. The imposed sales restrictions signal the severity of the damage and the challenges Russia faces in maintaining its energy infrastructure under sustained Ukrainian assault.

“

Combat activity in the grey zone is quite intense and both sides are carrying out not only defensive but also offensive operations.