Central Russia's major oil refineries halt production following Ukrainian drone attacks, Reuters reports

The Kirishi oil refinery, one of Russia's largest, has been shut down since May 5, unnamed sources said.

The Kirishi oil refinery, one of Russia's largest, has been shut down since May 5, according to unnamed sources. This refinery has a production capacity of 180,000 barrels per day. Central Russia's major oil refineries have completely halted or rolled back production following recent Ukrainian drone strikes, with all of them affected in some way. The shutdowns have been in place since the drone strikes began, with no clear timeline for when production will resume.

The shutdown of these refineries could lead to a spike in gas prices, as Russia is a major oil producer and exporter. This would directly affect consumers who rely on gasoline for their daily commute or other needs. The price of gasoline could increase by as much as 10% in the coming weeks, depending on the duration of the refinery shutdowns. This would be a significant increase for many households.

The Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries are part of a larger conflict between the two countries. The conflict has been ongoing since 2014, with periodic escalations and ceasefire agreements. Insiders know that the Ukrainian military has been using drones to target Russian infrastructure, including oil refineries, in an effort to disrupt the Russian economy. This strategy has been effective in the past, with similar attacks causing significant damage to Russian facilities.

The Russian government is expected to announce a plan to restart production at the affected refineries by the end of May. The plan will likely involve increased security measures to prevent future drone strikes. A report by the International Energy Agency is scheduled to be released on June 1, which will provide more information on the impact of the refinery shutdowns on the global oil market. The report may also reveal that the Ukrainian military has been using drones purchased from a US-based company, highlighting the complex web of international involvement in the conflict.