Ukraine strikes second Russian refinery in a week
The Ryazan facility came under drone attack, complicating Moscow's ability to fulfill a new diesel export agreement with the United States.
By Neha Kapoor ·
Ukraine launched drone strikes on the Ryazan oil refinery early Thursday, targeting one of Russia's largest processing facilities. The attack marks the second refinery hit in a single week, signaling an end to a recent pause in Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
Reuters video analysis indicated that the Ryazan plant was part of a large-scale overnight attack on industrial sites southeast of Moscow. This follows a strike on the Yaroslavl plant northeast of Moscow on Monday. The local governor stated that power supply to the city had been restored by Thursday morning as fires at the affected sites were contained.
The renewed offensive occurs as Russia attempts to manage domestic fuel shortages while honoring a trade deal with Washington. Ukrainian strikes earlier this year forced substantial processing capacity offline in western Russia. This disruption led Moscow to enforce fuel export bans beginning in April.
The Kremlin lifted the diesel export ban in October after President Donald Trump negotiated an agreement to resume shipments to international markets. The deal was struck to stabilize diesel prices ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, which Trump's Republican Party lost.
Shipping data from Kpler and LSEG show that at least six Russian diesel cargoes have signaled plans for transatlantic voyages. Two of these vessels reportedly changed course after originally heading for the US Atlantic coast. No Russian diesel cargo has arrived in the United States since the deal was finalized.
The first US-bound shipment is expected to reach New York this weekend. Kpler analyst Matt Smith noted that regulatory, legislative, and sanctions concerns mean the discharge of the cargo is not guaranteed. Tankers often broadcast signals such as 'ATLANTIC COAST FOR ORDERS,' indicating they are awaiting instructions on a final discharge port.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the cargoes are commercial loadings and that all the diesel will find buyers. He added that there is no connection between tankers changing course and the outcome of the US midterm elections. Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev posted on X that Russian diesel cargoes destined for the US are continuing on course.
