Ukraine strikes: only oil refinery operating in Russia’s Rostov Oblast, military says

Ukraine’s Navy and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) carried out a combined strike against the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia’s Rostov Oblast overnight on Dec. 19, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported.

Russian authorities and Telegram channels reported explosions and fire at the facility earlier the same day, connecting it to a Ukrainian drone attack.

The Novoshakhtinsk facility is “the only oil refinery operating” in the region, the General Staff said. It reportedly produces up to 7.5 million tons of oil products annually and specializes in fuel production.

The city of Novoshakhtinsk lies around 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Russo-Ukrainian border and over 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the front line.

Ukraine’s military forces launched a decisive strike on the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery, the only operational oil refinery in Russia’s Rostov Oblast, dealing a significant blow to Russia’s energy infrastructure. The combined effort by Ukraine’s Navy and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) targeted the facility overnight on December 19, resulting in massive fires and widespread damage, according to the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

Reports from Russian authorities and various Telegram channels confirmed explosions and fire at the site, with speculations pointing to a Ukrainian drone attack. This refinery, located about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Russo-Ukrainian border and over 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the front line, has been a strategic asset for Russia. The facility’s production capacity is estimated at 7.5 million tons of oil products annually, focusing on fuel production.

According to an SBU source, the strike was a coordinated effort where drones initially distracted Russian air defenses, allowing Ukrainian-made missiles to successfully hit critical points of the refinery. The attack reportedly caused extensive damage to the refinery’s ELOU-AVT-2.5 catalytic cracking unit. Videos and images circulated on social media, showing plumes of black smoke and large fires engulfing the facility.

Russian officials downplayed the attack’s impact, with Yuri Slyusar, acting governor of Rostov Oblast, stating that the fire was extinguished by 6:45 a.m. local time. One person was reported injured due to falling drone debris.

This is not the first time the Novoshakhtinsk refinery has been hit. Previous attacks in June 2022, March 2023, and July 2023 led to temporary shutdowns and significant financial losses. Ukrainian forces have made oil depots, refineries, and key logistical hubs a prime target throughout the conflict. Attacking Russia’s oil infrastructure serves a dual purpose: disrupting the Kremlin’s revenue streams and limiting Russia’s ability to fuel its military operations near the front lines.

Online reactions to the strike were mixed. Many users on Reddit celebrated the attack’s potential economic consequences, with one commenter stating, “Good, crash the ruble even more.” Another added, “Refineries are such juicy targets, hopefully they keep striking until they are too damaged to repair.” Others expressed hopes that the Ukrainian military would continue targeting Russia’s energy sector, drawing attention to Russia’s reliance on fossil fuel exports to finance its war machine.

Political discussions also emerged, with mentions of figures like Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Musk’s past decisions regarding the availability of Starlink in contested areas led to sharp criticism. “First Lady Musk” became a trending joke among users, referencing Musk’s alleged alignment with Russia’s interests. “Every time First Lady Musk gets mentioned, I think of this,” one commenter remarked, highlighting the controversy around Starlink’s geofencing restrictions.

Further discourse revolved around the broader strategy behind Ukraine’s strikes. While some users noted that knocking out a single refinery would have limited immediate impact on Russia’s overall oil production, others argued that sustained attacks could weaken Russia’s economy over time. “Death by a thousand cuts,” one user summarized, referring to the cumulative effect of multiple strikes. Another commenter stated, “If it’s important enough to keep repairing, it’s important enough to keep hitting.”

Beyond economic consequences, users highlighted the potential geopolitical impact. One user pointed out that the European Union still relies on Russian natural gas and that Gazprom continues to pay Ukraine for gas transit. Another noted that Gazprom’s links with former German politicians reveal a deeper connection between European energy dependency and Russia’s economic leverage.

Not everyone was convinced of the strike’s significance. “It’s been hit before, and they keep repairing it,” one user commented, referencing earlier strikes on the same refinery. Others questioned whether the long-term impact would justify the effort, as Russian repair crews have previously restored production. “The fact that they keep repairing it shows it’s important,” one user concluded, underscoring the strategic relevance of the site.

Amid the serious geopolitical analysis, some users found humor in the attack. Commenters called the fiery aftermath “Christmas lights” and joked that Ukraine’s military was providing an “interactive light show” for Russia’s soldiers. Others referenced memes about “Burn, baby, burn” and quipped that Ukraine’s military was now contributing more to climate change awareness than environmental organizations.

While the full extent of the damage remains to be seen, one thing is certain: the Novoshakhtinsk strike is another chapter in Ukraine’s broader strategy to target Russia’s vital energy infrastructure. As the war continues, such strikes will likely remain a crucial tactic in Ukraine’s efforts to weaken Russia’s warfighting capabilities and financial stability.