Ukraine strikes Omsk, Russia's largest refinery, for a second time

Ukraine's General Staff puts the annual throughput capacity of the Gazprom Neft-run Omsk refinery at more than 21 million tonnes; the drone maker Fire Point gives 22.23 million tonnes. An Astra estimate cited by United24 says the plant accounts for about 10% of Russia's total refining capacity. Fire Point said upgraded long-range FP-1 drones were used and that hits and fires were recorded. In the first strike on 6 July, Ukraine said it had hit the ELOU-AVT-11 crude distillation unit, which processes 8.4 million tonnes a year.

Russian accounts differ. Omsk governor Vitaly Khotsenko acknowledged, according to United24, that one drone reached an industrial zone in the north of the city, but did not say whether the refinery was damaged. The Moscow Times reports that flights were halted during the alert. In Salavat, local officials said falling drone debris started a fire at an industrial site, that nobody was killed and that the plant was operating. Russia's defence ministry said 399 Ukrainian drones were downed overnight over 18 regions and Crimea. Damage at the two plants could not be independently verified.

The timing coincides with a tight products market. According to The Moscow Times, Russia has extended its ban on diesel exports by producers to 31 October. Deputy Prime Minister Novak said on 2 October that a partial reopening would be considered if output exceeded domestic demand. A lasting loss of capacity at Omsk would weaken the option of lifting the ban on 31 October and prolong the global diesel shortfall.