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**Ukraine’s Drone Campaign Cripples Russian Oil Refineries, Sparks Fuel Shortages**
KYIV, Ukraine – A relentless drone campaign launched by Ukraine against Russian energy infrastructure is causing significant disruption, fueling shortages, and raising concerns within Russia, including annexed Crimea. Strikes targeting oil refineries, pipelines, and fuel depots have reduced Russia’s oil production by up to 27 percent, impacting fuel availability and driving up prices.
Residents in Crimea, promised prosperity after the 2014 annexation, are now grappling with long lines at gas stations and restrictions on fuel purchases. “Every day I see cars that ran out of fuel and were left on the curb,” said Ayder, a resident of Simferopol.
The Ukrainian military claims these attacks are strategically designed to weaken Russia’s logistical supply lines and force Moscow to the negotiating table. “Fuel and lubricants are the blood of Russia’s logistical supply,” stated Ihor Romanenko, former deputy head of Ukraine’s general staff of armed forces.
Ukraine is primarily using domestically produced drones and missiles. The strikes have reached deep into Russian territory, even hitting a refinery in western Siberia, over 1,200 miles from the Ukrainian border, proving that no refinery is safe.
The success of these attacks is raising questions within Russia about air defenses. “Where the hell is air defence, are you going to down [the drones] with a slingshot?” yelled a man filming a drone attack on a Kirishi oil refinery.
While the economic impact on Russia may be limited to a “couple of percent,” according to some analysts, the psychological effect is undeniable. Furthermore, the attacks have triggered retaliatory strikes by Russia targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing blackouts and further damage. Despite these drawbacks, Ukraine is undeterred, insisting on broader concessions from Moscow before halting the strikes.
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