Rosneft Warns Ukraine Strikes Could Cause Lasting Losses
WHO:
The Kyiv Independent - Rosneft is a Russian state-run oil company operating 12 refineries.
Meduza - Bloomberg reported concerns among Rosneft officials, citing sources familiar with the company.
The Kyiv Independent - Rosneft said it was “taking appropriate measures to ensure the security and operation of our plants” and that “Not a single company petrol station has been closed, and consumers receive fuel in full at stable prices.”
The Kyiv Independent - Ukraine has carried out attacks on Russian oil assets; Bloomberg’s estimate drew on public statements from Ukraine and Russia.
WHAT:
The Kyiv Independent - Rosneft officials privately warned that a few more months of continued Ukrainian attacks could cause lasting damage to the company.
Meduza - Bloomberg reported that Rosneft’s finances were deteriorating as profits fell and debt rose, despite expectations that the war in the Middle East would boost earnings.
The Kyiv Independent - Rosneft’s 12 refineries account for approximately one third of Russia’s refining capacity.
The Kyiv Independent - Five of 15 confirmed Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries in September 2026 targeted Rosneft facilities supplying western Russia; Meduza likewise reported that the facilities supplied European Russia.
The Kyiv Independent - The Ryazan refinery, one of Rosneft’s largest and Russia’s fourth-largest, was forced to suspend one of its main crude distillation units after a Ukrainian drone attack.
The Kyiv Independent - Documents reviewed by Bloomberg showed the Ryazan refinery had been shut for more than half the time since a Ukrainian drone attack in May 2026 and operated far below capacity when running.
The Kyiv Independent - The Syzran refinery was completely offline or operating below one third of capacity for most of the preceding six months.
The Kyiv Independent - Syzran can process approximately 9 million tons of crude oil annually and supplies fuel to the Russian Air Force and other military units.
The Kyiv Independent - Syzran also exports petroleum products via the Volga River and Caspian Sea.
The Kyiv Independent - The Tuapse refinery has been shut down since April following sustained attacks on the Black Sea export hub.
The Kyiv Independent - Rosneft’s first-half 2026 net income fell almost 20%, to 200 billion rubles ($2.4 billion); its net-debt-to-earnings ratio rose 1.8 times, its highest level in over five years.
The Kyiv Independent - Bloomberg estimated at least 114 Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries; confirmed hits from January to October more than doubled compared with 2025.
Meduza - Some Rosneft refineries were restarted within weeks of attacks and then struck again after repairs were completed or nearly completed.
WHERE:
The Kyiv Independent - The Ryazan refinery supplies Moscow and the surrounding region.
The Kyiv Independent - The Syzran refinery is in Samara Oblast.
The Kyiv Independent - The Tuapse refinery is a Black Sea export hub.
WHY:
The Kyiv Independent - Rosneft officials said repeated repairs were driving costs to unsustainable levels; international sanctions complicated equipment replacement by restricting access to critical parts previously sourced from Western countries.
Meduza - Sources said some plants slowed repairs, stretching work that would normally take a few days into weeks, because of the recurring repair burden.
The Kyiv Independent - Russia faced fuel shortages, sales restrictions, and export bans; the article said President Trump announced a deal to buy Russian diesel.
HOW:
The Kyiv Independent - Ukraine’s refinery strikes damaged facilities and disrupted operations; the repeated need to repair equipment increased Rosneft’s costs.
The Kyiv Independent - Ukraine briefly halted refinery strikes in October to honor President Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire, then resumed them when Moscow did not observe the truce.
(UPDATED October 23, 2026 07:26 UTC)
Rosneft officials have privately warned that a few more months of Ukrainian attacks could cause lasting damage to the Russian state oil company. Its 12 refineries account for about a third of Russia’s refining capacity, and repeated strikes have disrupted operations and made repairs increasingly costly. The Ryazan refinery, which supplies Moscow, has spent more than half the time since a May attack shut down or operating well below capacity. In Samara Oblast, the Syzran refinery has been offline or running at less than a third of capacity for much of the past six months. The Tuapse refinery, a Black Sea export hub, has been closed since April. Rosneft’s first-half net income fell nearly 20%, while its debt burden rose to its highest level in more than five years. Sanctions have also made it harder to replace critical equipment. Rosneft says its stations remain open and fuel supplies stable.