Ukraine hit the Saratov refinery of Russian oil giant Rosneft in the Volga region on Friday, Ukraine’s General Staff said, in what was the second attack on the refinery in recent months as the Trump Administration continues with its efforts to broker a peace deal.
“As part of efforts to reduce the military and economic potential of the Russian aggressor, during the night of 28 November, units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine struck the Saratov Oil Refinery in Russia’s Saratov region,” Ukraine’s General Staff said on their Telegram channel.
“The facility produces more than 20 types of petroleum products, including gasoline, fuel oil, diesel fuel and technical sulphur, and is involved in supporting the needs of the Russian occupation army.”
Ukraine said that “a series of explosions was recorded, followed by a fire in the target area. The results of the strikes are being clarified.”
A similar attack on the Saratov refinery in August prompted the facility to halt the intake of crude oil.
Last week, Rosneft’s refinery at Ryazan, Russia’s fourth-largest, was said to have suspended crude processing after a Ukrainian drone attack over the November 15-16 weekend.
In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russia’s oil refineries, depots, and export terminals in an escalation of the war on energy infrastructure, which has also seen Russia targeting Ukraine’s gas producing facilities and gas and power distribution networks as temperatures drop.
The targeting of energy infrastructure continues from both sides as the Trump Administration intensified in the past week efforts to broker a peace agreement.
Earlier this week, reports emerged that Ukraine had mostly agreed to a peace deal, with “minor details” to discuss and settle.
White House envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow next week to discuss the peace plan with the Kremlin.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin doubled down on Moscow’s demand that it would stop the war only if Ukraine withdraws from territories Russia has already seized.
By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com
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