Ukrainian strikes reduced Russian oil refining by 17% – NATO official

Ukrainian strikes with various types of weapons have had a significant impact on the Russian economy, notably reducing oil refining by 17%. NATO expects these strikes to continue.

"We do see that Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory are impacting the Russian economy, oil refining and Russian energy exports," a high-ranking NATO official said at the Alliance summit in Washington.

According to the official, Ukrainian strikes with various types of weapons are capable of reaching deep into Russian territory and are significantly affecting the Russian economy. 

The impact is so substantial that Russia has imposed internal restrictions on petrol exports and other measures. 

The official said Russian oil refining volume has decreased by about 17% and it is anticipated that further impacts on the Russian economy will continue as Ukraine employs various types of weapons.

In May, the US Department of Defense stated that Ukrainian drone attacks in early 2024 disrupted 14% of Russia's oil refining capacity and led to an increase in domestic fuel prices.

In March, the media reported that the United States had allegedly urged Kyiv not to strike Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure anymore.

Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, stated that she hadn’t received any official notifications from Washington with a ban on Kyiv attacking oil refineries in Russia with its weapons.