Ukraine Claims Strikes Disabled 51% of Russia’s Refining Capacity

Ukraine's Defense Ministry said late Sunday that strikes on refineries in Moscow, Yaroslavl, Ust-Luga, Perm, Saratov and Syzran disabled 51% of Russia's oil refining capacity. The claim has not been independently verified. Both sides have intensified aerial assaults as the 1,200-kilometer front line has largely stalled. President Vladimir Putin said on Oct. 1 at the Valdai Club that the strikes cost Russia about 1% of GDP. "They started attacking oil refineries and openly declared the goal of damaging our economy. Did they achieve their goal? Partially," he said. Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara said 51% of struck refining capacity is a significant blow to the enemy's economy and its ability to supply its troop groupings, adding that deep strikes continue to bring the war to Russian territory. The IEA said some of Russia's 32 refineries have been hit as many as 15 times, with one hit every three days recently, and diesel output down about 30%. Russia paid oil companies $3.6 billion in fuel-market subsidies in September and banned diesel exports. Trump urged Ukraine on Sept. 13 to stop hitting refineries.