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Ukraine Hits Saratov Refinery Again as Russian Fuel Crisis Deepens
Kyiv Post • • world
Key Points:
- Ukrainian drones struck the Russian city of Saratov on Sept. 8, damaging civilian infrastructure and residential buildings, injuring 10 people, including three children, with six hospitalized but no life-threatening injuries reported.
- The apparent target was the Saratov oil refinery, operated by Rosneft, which is one of Russia’s oldest and processes about 2.2% of the country’s total oil refining capacity.
- The Saratov refinery has been hit by Ukrainian drones four times this year, causing repeated disruptions and halting oil processing after previous attacks.
- Ukraine's intensified drone campaign has struck Russian oil refineries at least 70 times since early 2026, reducing Russia’s refining output to its lowest level in two decades and causing significant fuel shortages domestically.
- In response to the fuel shortage, Russia has started importing gasoline by sea from countries including India, Morocco, and Turkey, while also increasing purchases from Belarus to record levels.
