By last week, the evidence of a new and sustained attack against a crucial part of Russia’s economy was impossible to ignore. On Wednesday, a drone hit the Tuapse oil refinery in southern Russia on the Black Sea. Flames from the burning refinery were visible above an inky skyline. Nearby, the airport in Sochi – Putin’s favourite resort, famed for its pebble beaches – was forced to close. So far this year, Ukrainian drones have struck at least four Russian oil and gas terminals across the country. The attacks are part of a growing asymmetrical campaign by Kyiv to cripple the industry and to deprive Moscow of the billions of dollars in global revenue it uses to fund its war. About half of Russia’s $420bn export earnings last year came from oil.

By last week, the evidence of a new and sustained attack against a crucial part of Russia’s economy was impossible to ignore. On Wednesday, a drone hit the Tuapse oil refinery in southern Russia on the Black Sea. Flames from the burning refinery were visible above an inky skyline. Nearby, the airport in Sochi – Putin’s favourite resort, famed for its pebble beaches – was forced to close.

So far this year, Ukrainian drones have struck at least four Russian oil and gas terminals across the country. The attacks are part of a growing asymmetrical campaign by Kyiv to cripple the industry and to deprive Moscow of the billions of dollars in global revenue it uses to fund its war. About half of Russia’s $420bn export earnings last year came from oil.

    • Hopfgeist@feddit.de
      9·
      5 months ago

      Which could very well be the reason they held back in the past; out of consideration for oil and gas prices affecting their Western friends. Now that the biggest friend seems to have abandoned them (likely until November), that consideration is worth a lot less, weighing it against strategic benefits from reducing Russian reserves and income.

        • Overzeetop
          5·
          5 months ago

          the US becoming a major oil and gas exporter

          This is a common misconception - we’re already the oil producing gorilla. Oil, both unrefined and refined, have been the top exports of the US for years now - well over a decade. We are the largest global producer of oil - by a huge margin - and have been for years. In 2022 we were almost 19% of the global supply - producing 50% more than each #2 Saudi Arabia and #3 Russia, and more than the next 4 countries combined.

          The conservatives in the US like to say that we have to drill in an attempt to become energy independent, but we send much of our product to higher paying markets outside of our own border. Our only imbalance is in the mix of refinery capability and domestic supply type (light/heavy/sweet).

    • MrMakabar@feddit.de
      7·
      5 months ago

      There are mystery fires in Russian oil and gas facilities since the start of the war.

      The difference is that the US has increased oil production a lot and OPEC+ is cutting. So if Russia can export less oil, the likely response from OPEC+ other then Russia is to not cut production as much and cash in. A year ago the EU has banned most oil imports from Russia and that shock is mostly worked through now. Also at -10°C oil stops flowing easily and at below it it starts to freeze. So for a lot of Russian oil infrastructure damage is especially bad atm.