Ukraine Drone Strikes Hit Russian Refineries as Fuel Shortages Worsen
Ukrainian drones struck three Russian oil refineries, tankers on the Sea of Azov, and pipeline pumping stations in a series of overnight attacks that extended from near the Ukrainian border to the Ural Mountains, Ukrainian and Russian officials said on Wednesday (July 8, 2026).
Russia has been facing acute fuel shortages in several regions as Ukraine intensifies its drone campaign against Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure. Kyiv has increasingly targeted sites far from its own territory.
On Monday (July 6, 2026), Ukraine hit the Omsk refinery, Russia's largest, located in Siberia about 2,700 km from Ukrainian-held territory.
In separate statements, Ukraine's general staff and special forces said drones had hit the TANECO and TAIF-NK oil refineries in Tatarstan's Nizhnekamsk, the Saratov oil refinery, and the Borisoglebsk military airbase in the Voronezh region. Ukraine also said it struck a petroleum products pumping station in Russia's Bashkortostan.
In response, Russia introduced a ban on diesel exports on Wednesday (July 8, 2026), part of measures to support the domestic fuel market amid the systematic Ukrainian drone attacks.
Drivers in many regions face long queues at filling stations, as the strikes reduce supplies of diesel and gasoline. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told a televised government meeting that the fuel situation remained complex and that “it is clear that the current situation at filling stations is causing concern among the public.”
“Today, a ban on diesel fuel exports was introduced, and this will make it possible to increase supplies to the domestic market,” Novak said, adding that Russia would start importing fuel in July. The government said the ban, which includes fuel producers, would remain in place until July 31.
European diesel margins rose to a record $60.17 per barrel following the Russian export ban, reflecting market concerns over supply disruptions.
