Ukraine Targets Three Major Russian Oil Refineries in 72-Hour Drone Campaign

Ukraine reportedly launched drone attacks against three major Russian oil refineries over three consecutive nights, targeting facilities with a combined annual processing capacity of approximately 33 million metric tons. According to the Ukrainian monitoring group Dnipro Osint, the strikes hit Novokuybyshevsk in the Samara region, Bashneft-Novoil in Ufa, and LUKOIL’s NORSI refinery in Kstovo. Together, these facilities represent roughly 10% of Russia’s total refining capacity, although this figure does not establish actual production losses.

The first attack occurred overnight on October 30 at Rosneft’s Novokuybyshevsk refinery, where a fire was reported. Ukrainian defense manufacturer Fire Point confirmed its involvement and said FP-1 drones struck several locations, including a diesel hydrotreating unit.

On October 31, drones targeted the industrial area around Bashneft-Novoil in Ufa. The following night, another attack struck the NORSI refinery in Kstovo, one of Russia’s largest refining facilities, where a large fire was reported.

Dnipro Osint said multiple primary and secondary processing installations were affected, but the full extent of the damage remains unverified. The attacks reportedly followed a two-week pause in refinery strikes, which the monitoring group attributed to an informal energy arrangement involving Washington. The renewed campaign highlights continued pressure on Russia’s energy infrastructure amid ongoing attacks on Ukrainian utilities.