Moscow's largest oil refinery is expected to remain out of service for at least six months after sustaining severe damage in recent Ukrainian drone strikes, adding to Russia’s challenges in addressing fuel shortages nationwide, Reuters reports, citing two industry sources.
Located in the southern part of the Russian capital, the refinery is the main supplier of fuel to the Moscow region.
Operations were suspended after the facility was struck twice by Ukrainian drones earlier this month.
"It will take at least half a year to repair," one of the sources said of the damage to the Moscow refinery.
The plant is operated by Gazprom Neft, which has not commented on the reports.
Ukraine has intensified long-range drone attacks targeting Russian energy infrastructure, while Russia continues to launch missile strikes against energy and defence-related facilities in Ukraine.
The attacks have disrupted a substantial portion of Russia’s refining capacity, contributing to fuel shortages, rising petroleum product prices, and long lines at filling stations in several regions across the country.
According to the latest available data, the refinery processed 11.6 million metric tons of crude oil in 2024, producing 2.9 million tons of gasoline and 3.2 million tons of diesel fuel.
Amid tightening fuel supplies, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Tuesday that authorities are considering imposing a ban on diesel exports. Meanwhile, the Vedomosti newspaper reported that fuel imports are also being discussed as a possible measure to ease shortages, particularly in Crimea, where gasoline sales to the public have reportedly been suspended.
By Bakhtiyar Abbasov
