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Russia's fourth-largest oil refinery halts processing unit after drone attack, sources say

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on October 24, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

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(Reuters) -Russia's fourth-largest oil refinery, the Ryazan plant located south east of Moscow, halted a primary crude distillation unit on Wednesday following a Ukrainian drone attack, two industry

Russia's fourth-largest oil refinery halts processing unit after drone attack,

Impact of Drone Attacks on Oil Refinery Operations

(Reuters) -Russia's fourth-largest oil refinery, the Ryazan plant located south east of Moscow, halted a primary crude distillation unit on Wednesday following a Ukrainian drone attack, two industry sources told Reuters on Friday.

Details of the Attack

Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure as peace talks mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump have not progressed.

Operational Capacity and Production

Such attacks have been behind motor fuel shortages across several regions in Russia, local authorities have said.

Responses from Rosneft and Authorities

Ukraine's general staff said on Thursday that Kyiv's forces had struck the Ryazan oil refinery.

The industry sources in Russia told Reuters the CDU-4 processing unit, was urgently halted on Thursday after it caught fire following a drone attack.

The unit's capacity stands at 4 million metric tons a year, or 80,000 barrels per day, accounting for around a quarter of plant's total capacity.

Oil company Rosneft, which owns the refinery, did not respond to a request for comment. The sources said the plant is still processing oil, but at a reduced volume.

One of the sources said some adjacent units were also halted, including a reformer, vacuum gasoil hydrotreater and catalytic cracker.

The refinery processed 13.1 million tons of crude in 2024, producing 2.3 million tons of gasoline, 3.4 million tons of diesel and 4.2 million tons of fuel oil.

(Reporting by Reuters;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)

Key Takeaways

  • Ryazan oil refinery halted a key processing unit after a drone attack.
  • The attack is linked to Ukraine's increased strikes on Russian infrastructure.
  • The halted unit accounts for a quarter of the refinery's capacity.
  • Rosneft, the refinery owner, has not commented on the incident.
  • The attack contributes to fuel shortages in Russia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a crude distillation unit?
A crude distillation unit (CDU) is a facility used in oil refineries to separate crude oil into various components based on their boiling points. It is a critical part of the refining process.
What is a drone attack?
A drone attack refers to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to strike a target. In the context of military operations, it often involves targeting infrastructure or military assets.
What is motor fuel?
Motor fuel is a type of fuel used to power vehicles, including gasoline and diesel. It is derived from crude oil and is essential for transportation.
What is an oil refinery?
An oil refinery is an industrial facility that processes crude oil into usable products such as gasoline, diesel, and other petrochemicals. Refineries play a crucial role in the energy sector.
What is energy infrastructure?
Energy infrastructure includes the facilities and systems that generate, transmit, and distribute energy. This encompasses power plants, refineries, pipelines, and electrical grids.

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