Ukraine’s drone attacks have left Russia desperately scrambling for oil imports

Ukraine's long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries have forced Russia to seek fuel imports from countries like Turkey and Kazakhstan. This marks a significant shift for a nation that was previously a top global oil producer.
Why it matters
The energy crisis in Russia demonstrates the strategic impact of drone warfare on critical infrastructure and global energy markets.
Drivers line up at a petrol station while many others are out of fuel as Russia struggles with limited refining capacity. Photograph: Getty Images Drivers line up at a petrol station while many others are out of fuel as Russia struggles with limited refining capacity. Photograph: Getty Images Russia Analysis Ukraine’s drone attacks have left Russia desperately scrambling for oil imports Peter Beaumont Senior international correspondent The once world-leading producer of crude oil has plunged into an energy crisis as Kyiv targets its refineries
The article reports on the strategic consequences of the war using observable data points.
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