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
A sanctioned shadow fleet tanker carries oil from Nato member Turkey to a Russian Baltic port. A deal is signed for Russian oil to be processed in Kazakhstan. Fuel cargoes arrive from India via Egypt. The Kremlin pressures allies to sell it badly needed fuel.
The data points may be diverse, but they point to a single inescapable conclusion.
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