Russian oil refineries boost output as drone attacks halt after US-brokered deal, sources say

Russian oil refineries increased crude processing by 25% in the second half of October compared to the beginning of the month after persistent drone attacks on the plants ceased, three industry sources told Reuters.

Since mid-March, Russian refineries had faced weekly attacks by Ukrainian drones that caused domestic fuel shortages and prompted authorities to ban exports of gasoline, jet fuel and diesel, as well as begin importing oil products by sea. The attacks stopped following Washington's efforts to revive peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv, while also securing a diesel supply deal with Russia.

Days after clinching the diesel deal, US President Donald Trump announced an "energy ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine on October 11. While strikes on both sides continued after that, Russian authorities said some of the last attacks this month were strikes at refineries in Ryazan and Surgut carried out in mid-October, with no further strikes after October 16.


Since then, Russian refineries have been swiftly bringing units back online because almost all of the required oil and gas equipment is manufactured domestically, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Tuesday.

By the second half of October, Russian refineries ramped up processing to around 5 million barrels per day (bpd) - a roughly 25% increase from the start of October, the three people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, estimated.

As throughput rose, refineries boosted diesel production, with exports partially reopened under the US deal.

The people estimated Russian refineries increased diesel output by at least 50,000 metric tons per day in October, reaching 225,000 tons per day, or about 1.7 million bpd. Of this, possible diesel available for exports accounted for around 80,000 tons per day, according to the estimates.