Fire Out at Ilsky Oil Refinery After Ukrainian Drone Attack Hits Russia
Ukrainian Drone Attack and Impact on Russian Oil Infrastructure
Overview of the Incident
MOSCOW, June 2 (Reuters) - A fire at Russia's Ilsky oil refinery in its southern Krasnodar region has been put out after an overnight Ukrainian drone attack, local authorities said on Tuesday, part of Kyiv's campaign to starve Russia's economy of oil revenues.
Kyiv’s Strategic Targeting of Russian Energy
Kyiv has been systematically targeting Russia's energy infrastructure in an effort to limit Moscow's ability to finance its more than four-year-old war in Ukraine at a time of high global oil prices.
Repeated Strikes on Ilsky Refinery
The Ukrainian General Staff, which has repeatedly hit the Ilsky refinery this year, confirmed it had struck it again, saying the facility produced fuel for the Russian army fighting in Ukraine.
Immediate Aftermath and Uncertainties
It was not immediately clear if the export-oriented refinery's operations had been disrupted or if there were any casualties.
Ilsky Refinery Capacity
The Ilsky refinery has a capacity of around 138,000 barrels per day.
Wider Impact on Russian Fuel Supply
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that his forces had struck 15 Russian oil refineries in multiple attacks between January and May, creating shortages of fuel in Crimea and other Russian-held regions.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Moscow buro and Jekaterina Golubkova in Tokyo; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Andrew Osborn and Andrew Heavens)
