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The Economic Times
The Economic Times

Russia's Saratov oil refinery at a halt since Wednesday's drone attack: Sources report to Reuters

Russia's Saratov oil refinery stopped oil processing ​on Wednesday following damage ​from a drone attack, two sources with ​knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Ukraine has increased attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure in recent months to try to undermine ‌Moscow's ⁠war effort.

The attacks ⁠have resulted in fuel shortages in Russia, leading to long ​queues at filling stations, increased fuel prices and fuel exports curbs.

Read more: Ukrainian drones batter Russian oil facilities and set more oil tankers ablaze

Earlier ​this week, Omsk oil refinery, Russia's largest, also halted operations following a Ukrainian drone attack.

On Wednesday, ​Saratov regional governor Roman Busargin ⁠said on Telegram ‌that a strike had killed one ​person, ​wounded several others and damaged what he ⁠referred to as "civilian industrial sites". He did not ​name the sites, while Ukraine's military said it ​had struck Saratov refinery.

According to the sources, drones hit the primary refining unit, CDU-6, with a capacity of 20,000 metric tons per day, the only such unit at the refinery.

Owner Rosneft ‌did not respond to a request for comment.

Fuel from the Saratov refinery has not been ​offered ​on the St Petersburg ⁠International Mercantile Exchange since Wednesday, exchange data showed.

Read more: India's Russian oil imports rise in May as refiners boost purchases

The refinery also suspended operations after drone attacks in March and May.

In ​2024, the plant processed 5.8 million tons of oil, or 2.2% of Russia's total refining, producing 1.2 million tons of gasoline, 1.9 million tons of diesel and 1.0 million tons of fuel oil.

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