Ukraine confirms strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, defying calls to ease attacks amid soaring fuel prices

Key Points:

• Ukrainian drones attacked the Lukoil oil refinery in Kstovo and an oil terminal in Leningrad Oblast on April 5, causing damage to refining facilities and an oil pipeline, confirmed by both Ukrainian and Russian officials.
• The attack involved around 30 drones, with air defense forces repelling the assault, but debris still caused damage to key infrastructure, including the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez refinery and a pipeline near Primorsk port.
• Ukraine views oil refineries as valid military targets since they supply fuel and funds for Russia's war efforts, and has frequently targeted such facilities with long-range drones despite requests from foreign allies to pause these attacks amid rising global fuel prices.
• The U.S. imposed sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft in 2025 to pressure Russia over the Ukraine conflict, but recently issued a temporary license allowing purchases of Russian oil stranded at sea to help stabilize global energy markets amid the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran.
• The Lukoil refinery targeted is located about 800 kilometers from the Ukrainian border and has been attacked multiple times in recent months, alongside the Primorsk oil terminal, reflecting ongoing Ukrainian efforts to disrupt Russian energy infrastructure.