-- Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure climbed to their highest monthly level since December, forcing Russian refineries to cut processing runs to multi-year lows, a Bloomberg analysis showed on Thursday.
Data compiled from public statements from both countries shows that about 21 Ukrainian strikes targeted Russian oil refineries, maritime assets, including export terminals, and pipeline infrastructure in April.
The intensified campaign has hit at least nine refineries this month, the highest monthly total since the start of the year.
The strikes have significantly impacted Russia's processing capacity, the analysis showed, as refinery throughput is estimated to have dropped to 4.69 million barrels per day, the lowest level since 2009.
The decline in crude processing rates is adding pressure to both the domestic market, where seasonal demand is rising, and global oil product markets, with Russia a key exporter of diesel.
Lower refinery runs are also constraining Russia's ability to increase oil output, which has remained below its OPEC+ quota for several months.
Ukrainian drones hit Rosneft's Tuapse refinery on the Black Sea three times in April, most recently on April 28. The strikes caused massive fires at the site, which took several days to extinguish and triggered an environmental crisis in the area.
However, reduced refinery runs allowed Russia to increase seaborne crude and fuel exports in April as attacks on ports eased. The uptick could prove temporary if Ukraine resumes strikes on port infrastructure in the coming weeks.
Ukraine also stepped up attacks on Russia's oil pipeline network, hitting at least five pumping stations in April. Unlike strikes in late 2024 and 2025 that largely targeted export-linked facilities near western Russia, recent attacks have reached deeper into the country's internal pipeline system.