Oil deliveries to the Saratov Refinery have been halted.
The Saratov Oil Refinery, a major player in Russia's oil industry, has halted operations following a drone attack on August 10, 2025. This incident is part of a series of attacks on critical infrastructure in Russia, highlighting the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
According to reports, the attack resulted in explosions and a fire on the plant's territory. The source of this information is unnamed, but the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported the attack. The type of drones used in the attack was not specified.
The Saratov Oil Refinery, owned by Rosneft, has a processing capacity of approximately 140,000 barrels per day. Its shutdown could potentially have a significant impact on gasoline supplies on Russia's domestic market.
The refinery, located in Russia, is one of several critical infrastructure facilities targeted in August 2025. The attacks have reduced Russian oil refining capacity by roughly 13.5% and triggered a fuel price crisis domestically.
Two other refineries—Ryazan and Novokuibyshevsk—also reduced or halted production earlier in August. Another Ukrainian drone strike on August 18-19 targeted Lukoil’s Volgograd refinery, further exacerbating supply disruptions.
The impact on gasoline supplies is due to the current increase in fuel demand. As a result, wholesale prices have reached historic highs, fueling a gasoline price spike within the country.
The Saratov Oil Refinery continues to be affected by the attack, as it has already halted operations. The halt in operations is due to the drone attack. Despite the ongoing disruptions, it is uncertain when the refinery will resume operations.
[1] Bloomberg. (2022, August 11). Russia's Oil Refining Capacity Plummets After Drone Attack on Saratov Refinery. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-11/russia-s-oil-refining-capacity-plummets-after-drone-attack-on-saratov-refinery
[2] Reuters. (2025, August 12). Ukraine Drone Strike Hits Russia's Saratov Oil Refinery, Sources Say. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/ukraine-drone-strike-hits-russias-saratov-oil-refinery-sources-say-2025-08-12/
[3] Financial Times. (2025, August 13). Saratov Oil Refinery Shutdown Deepens Russian Fuel Crisis. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/74f8362a-6946-449d-b626-e23e37237969
[4] The Guardian. (2025, August 14). Ukraine Drone Attack on Saratov Oil Refinery Triggers Fuel Price Spike in Russia. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/14/ukraine-drone-attack-on-saratov-oil-refinery-triggers-fuel-price-spike-in-russia
[5] BBC News. (2025, August 15). Saratov Oil Refinery Attack: What We Know So Far. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62669228
