Ukraine targeted the Ilsky Oil Refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region, marking the fourth reported strike on the facility this year. The attack comes as Ukrainian strikes continue to disrupt Russia’s oil sector, contributing to declining refinery output, rising fuel prices, and fuel rationing measure
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Ukrainian drones attacked the Ilsky Oil Refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai early on Tuesday, June 2, according to the regional operational headquarters.
“According to preliminary information, there are no casualties. Emergency and special services are working at the scene,” the statement said.
Krasnodar Krai Governor Veniamin Kondratyev had not officially confirmed the attack as of publication, although local Telegram channels circulated videos showing a large fire at the facility.
The Ilsky Oil Refinery is one of the largest refineries in Russia’s Southern Federal District, with a design capacity of approximately 6.6 million tons of oil per year.
The plant produces natural gasoline, gas condensate distillates, high-sulfur diesel fuel, and fuel oil. While it exports gasoline components, it does not produce motor gasoline or diesel fuel for Russia’s domestic market.
According to Russian media reports, this was the fourth attack on the refinery since the beginning of 2026. Ukrainian drones reportedly struck the facility twice in February and once in January.
The previous reported attack occurred on Feb. 17, when a drone strike sparked a fire at the refinery and damaged an oil storage tank. Russian authorities said the blaze covered approximately 700 square meters.
According to the Astra outlet, the latest strike marks at least the 16th attack on the refinery since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan expressed hope that Russia would strike Ukraine more precisely to avoid drones entering Romania, after a Russian Shahed hit a Galați apartment building on May 29, 2026, injuring two. He confirmed Russian responsibility but avoided criticizing Russia’s campaign. The remarks drew sharp criticism from Ukraine, while Zelensky praised Romania’s response.
Ukraine has not officially commented on its involvement in the attack.
The strike comes amid an intensified Ukrainian campaign against Russian oil infrastructure. According to Bloomberg, Ukrainian forces carried out 15 drone attacks on Russian refineries in May alone, alongside seven strikes on oil pipelines, six attacks on ports, and one strike on a tanker at sea.
The total number of attacks on Russian oil infrastructure in May reached 30, the highest monthly figure since the beginning of the full-scale war. The previous record was set in December, when 26 oil-related facilities, including 15 refineries, were hit.
Against this backdrop, Russian oil refining volumes have continued to decline. According to OilX, Russian refineries processed 4.58 million barrels of oil per day in May – 2.3% less than in April and 14.4% lower than at the start of the year.
Refinery utilization rates fell by 13% year-on-year and by roughly 20% compared with pre-war 2021 levels, reaching their lowest point since October 2009.
Oil companies, facing lower production volumes, have sharply reduced gasoline shipments to commodity exchanges, where independent and private gas stations purchase fuel.
In May, supplies of AI-95 gasoline dropped to around 5,000 tons per day, one-third lower than a year earlier. Wholesale gasoline prices have risen by 26% since the beginning of the year, while retail fuel prices have increased by 4.3%.
In response to mounting pressure on domestic fuel supplies, Russia imposed a ban on gasoline exports in March. In June, the restrictions were expanded to include jet fuel exports.
Fuel shortages are already emerging in several regions. In occupied Crimea, authorities introduced fuel rationing and coupon systems amid supply disruptions.
According to The Moscow Times, gas stations in Novaya Moscow – a territory incorporated into the Russian capital in 2012 – have begun limiting gasoline sales to 60 liters (about 16 gallons) per customer and diesel sales to 100 liters (about 26 gallons).
Fuel prices in Moscow have also continued to climb. Over the past week, the average price of diesel rose by 56 kopecks to 78.49 rubles (about $0.98) per liter (or $3.71 per gallon).
AI-92 gasoline increased by 24 kopecks to 64.67 rubles (about $0.81) per liter (or $3.07 per gallon), while AI-95 rose by 35 kopecks to 71.46 rubles (about $0.89) per liter ($3.10 per gallon).
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