Ukrainian Drone Strikes Lead to Shutdown of Bashneft-Novoil Oil Refinery in Ufa
The Bashneft-Novoil oil refinery in Ufa, Russia, has been forced to halt operations at one of its largest crude processing units due to drone strikes carried out by Ukrainian forces, according to reports from Reuters citing three reliable industry sources.
The Bashneft-Novoil oil refinery, located in the city of Ufa, has experienced a significant disruption in its operations following drone strikes attributed to Ukrainian forces. This attack has led to the shutdown of the CDU-5 unit, which is critical for the refinery's primary oil processing capabilities. Reuters reported on this incident based on information from three trusted sources within the industry.
According to the sources, the CDU-5 unit, which was damaged in the attacks, accounts for approximately 28% of the total processing capacity of the Bashneft-Novoil refinery. While the facility operates three other units, there are concerns regarding their ability to compensate for the loss of production resulting from the CDU-5's shutdown.
In 2024, the Bashneft-Novoil refinery processed 3.8 million tons of crude oil, translating to roughly 76,000 barrels per day. This output represents only 1.4% of the total oil processing capacity in Russia. The refinery produced 1.2 million tons of gasoline, 2.6 million tons of diesel fuel, and 1.1 million tons of fuel oil, establishing it as a significant player in the oil products market.
On the morning of April 2, 2024, drones targeted the Bashneft-Novoil refinery, resulting in a large-scale fire. One of the drones also struck a residential high-rise building nearby, raising alarm among local residents. OSINT analysts from the CyberBorshno group analyzed footage of the fire at the facility and confirmed that the strike was indeed in the vicinity of the CDU-5 unit, which is pivotal in the oil refining process.
On April 3, the Russian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, referencing satellite images, confirmed that the drone strikes had severely damaged the CDU-5 primary oil processing unit at the Bashneft-Novoil refinery. This unit is critically important for ongoing oil processing, and its loss renders further production impossible.
On the same day, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the information regarding the strike on the Russian Bashneft-Novoil refinery, indicating the active role of Ukrainian forces in conducting operations on enemy territory. This incident underscores the ongoing tension in relations between Ukraine and Russia, as well as the importance of controlling critical infrastructure during military operations.
Thus, the attack on the Bashneft-Novoil refinery marks another chapter in the protracted conflict between Ukraine and Russia, where both sides continue to leverage advanced technologies such as drones to achieve their objectives. This event also highlights the vulnerability of Russian infrastructure and the potential economic repercussions for the country amid the ongoing conflict.